Unclaimed property fund rises in worth
CARSON CITY -- State Treasurer Kate Marshall produced an economic stimulus plan of sorts on Monday, telling legislators that several of them are on a list of Nevadans owed money or other items of value from an unclaimed property account -- but they first must file a claim.
Marshall told the Senate Finance Committee that the unclaimed property fund had increased in value by nearly $67 million so far this fiscal year, and has paid out only $13.4 million in that time frame.
The treasurer also provided claim forms to legislators so they can collect what's due to them. Those getting the forms Monday included the Finance panel's co-chairman, Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-North Las Vegas, who's eligible for $205 from a power company.
The amounts for the lawmakers range from a $20 refund from a software company to Assemblywoman Ellen Spiegel, D-Henderson, to apparent donations of $500 apiece to the re-election campaigns of Assemblyman Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks, and Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas.
Marshall said she even has some money for several Nevada newspapers. That includes $7,447 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, nearly $400 for the Las Vegas Sun and $177 for the Nevada Appeal.
"If the press is listening, we have their money," Marshall said.
Since 1980, the fund has returned tens of millions of dollars worth of cash, refund or dividend checks, utility deposits, jewelry, stock certificates and other valuables. The total of assets available for claim payments, including the nearly $67 million added to the fund so far this year, now stands at more than $337 million.
Under Nevada law, there's no time limit for filing a claim, either by a person who was the named recipient or an heir. The state each year circulates a long list of names -- about 79,000 this year -- of people eligible for a cut of the fund.
