A bill in the Nevada Legislature that sought to double the minimum liability insurance requirement for certain in-state commercial trucking operations has been withdrawn from consideration. SB180 proposed raising the insurance minimum from $750,000 to $1.5 million for drivers operating exclusively within Nevada.
Legislative Progress and Withdrawal
The Nevada Senate narrowly approved SB180 in an 11-10 vote and was subsequently scheduled for a hearing by the Assembly Growth & Infrastructure Committee. However, on May 8, the committee chairman announced that the bill had been pulled from the hearing schedule. This action effectively ends its advancement during the current legislative session.
Industry Response
Trucking and insurance industry representatives voiced strong opposition to the bill. Organizations such as the Nevada Trucking Association, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association actively engaged with lawmakers and their members in Nevada to express concerns.
Paul Enos, President of the Nevada Trucking Association, testified that the bill could negatively impact small businesses and the broader trucking industry without offering clear benefits. Enos suggested that any changes to liability insurance requirements should be addressed at the federal level.
OOIDA also reached out to its Nevada-based members, describing the proposed insurance increase as unnecessary and potentially harmful to small and family-owned trucking operations. According to the association, the bill would not contribute to highway safety and could risk jobs across the industry.
Insurance Market Implications
The American Property Casualty Insurance Association stated that most insurers typically do not provide single-layer coverage above $1 million. As a result, the bill would require truck operators to purchase two separate insurance policies to meet the proposed $1.5 million threshold. The association warned that such changes could increase operating costs, potentially leading to higher prices for consumer goods in Nevada.
Outcome and Commentary
Following the bill’s narrow passage in the Senate, industry groups continued to advocate for its defeat in the Assembly. The decision to withdraw SB180 was described by opponents as a significant outcome influenced by coordinated efforts among various stakeholders.
While the legislation will not proceed in the current session, the discussion around minimum liability insurance requirements remains a topic of interest for both state and federal policymakers.
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