Gaming Control Board seeks administrative changes, raises maximum fines in SB 46

The Nevada Gaming Control Board presented Senate Bill 46 to the Assembly Judiciary Committee, describing a package of non‑technology changes to NRS chapter 463 intended to clarify longstanding administrative practices and modernize penalty thresholds.

Kirk Hendrick, chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, said the bill "seeks to make minor changes to chapter 463 of the Nevada Revised Statutes in order to streamline and clarify processes essential for the continued success of Nevada's gaming industry." He and Sebastian Ross, the board's senior policy counsel, walked members through provisions on voluntary surrender of approvals, investigative hearings, registration of tournament organizers and adjustments to record transmission and patron dispute thresholds.

Major provisions and discussion - Voluntary surrender and jurisdiction: SB 46 would expressly allow the board and the Nevada Gaming Commission to maintain disciplinary and tax jurisdiction even if a person attempts to voluntarily surrender an approval or registration; the commission would adopt rules describing how to surrender and a reasonable time period before the board divests jurisdiction. - Investigative hearings: The bill would clarify that an investigative hearing may be conducted by one or more board members or by a hearing examiner "authorized by the chair," and would allow a single board member or an authorized hearing examiner to conduct investigative hearings without requiring the concurrence of a majority of the board. Hendrick said the change is intended to "streamline the administrative function." The committee asked whether members would still be notified; Hendrick said the chair would be informed and the other members would receive reports when appropriate. - Fine threshold increases: SB 46 proposes raising statutory maximums for fines tied to initial complaints to an amount not to exceed $500,000 and for subsequent complaints to an amount not to exceed $1,000,000. Hendrick emphasized these are maximum thresholds, not mandatory amounts, and the commission retains discretion to set penalties within the range. - Records for judicial review and patron disputes: The bill would clarify obligations for transmitting records on review and would raise the monetary threshold for patron dispute claims adjudicated by hearing examiners (proposed increase from $500 to $1,000), with proponents saying the change would streamline adjudication of small claims.

Support and testimony: The Nevada Resort Association told the committee it worked closely with the board and supports the bill. Committee members asked about the delegation of authority to the chair and whether that change would reduce board oversight; Hendrick said the practice reflects longstanding procedure and the bill merely codifies it.

Ending: Committee members did not take a vote during the hearing. Hendrick thanked members for their time and said the board is available to answer follow‑up questions.