Nevada legislators delay action on taxi regulators

Legislators will wait a few more weeks to determine whether they want to recommend consolidating two state agencies that regulate taxis in the state.

Representatives of the Sunset subcommittee of the Legislative Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to delay action on the future of the Nevada Transportation Authority, which oversees limousines and taxis operating outside Clark County.

It's clear the committee wants to keep the three-member authority board intact. What's at issue is whether it would recommend folding the responsibilities of the Nevada Taxicab Authority, which oversees the taxi industry in Clark County, into its purview.

About 20 cab drivers made it clear earlier in the meeting what they'd like to see — the dismantling of the Taxicab Authority.

During the meeting's public comment session, several drivers testified that the Taxicab Authority has been irresponsible in its issuance of cab medallions, putting too many cabs on the streets to enable a driver to make a decent living wage. They said some desperate drivers attempting to make ends meet have been driven to illegally long-hauling customers to make up for their lagging pay.

Drivers also cited the findings of the Executive Branch Audit Committee, which reported that the Taxicab Authority's approval of a high $5 credit card use fee and its failure to remove a fuel surcharge resulted in taxi customers being overcharged by $47.3 million last year. The Taxicab Authority board and taxi industry leaders dispute the findings of the audit and the taxi industry-affiliated Limousine Operators Association has commissioned a report on the audit findings.

Sen. James Settelmeyer, R-Minden, who chairs the committee, said the matter wouldn't be addressed Tuesday because the disposition of the Taxicab Authority wasn't on the agenda. It's expected to be considered in March or April.

Even if the subcommittee recommends disbanding the Taxicab Authority or consolidating the agencies, the matter wouldn't be raised until the 2017 legislative session.

The committee also recommended the continuation of the work of the Executive Branch Audit Committee -- the group that published the Taxicab Authority audit -- which was scheduled for review Tuesday.

Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter. Contact reporter Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893.