Nevada committee hears bill to allow online notices for storage-lien sales

CARSON CITY and LAS VEGAS — The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard testimony March 17 on Assembly Bill 137, which would let self-storage operators publish required notices of lien sales on publicly accessible websites rather than mandating two printed newspaper publications.

Proponents said the change would reduce costs for small businesses and consumers and reflect where people look for information today; opponents urged retaining printed notices to preserve transparency and reach people without reliable internet access.

AB 137 would amend current Nevada law on advertising sales of personal property used to satisfy a storage-facility lien. Assemblymember Celena Torres Fawcett (Assembly District 3), the bill’s sponsor, told the committee the measure ‘‘revises requirements for the advertising of a sale of personal property to satisfy the lien of an owner for a facility of storage.’’ Torres Fawcett said the bill preserves ‘‘all the consumer protections in this section of law’’ while allowing an alternative advertising method.

Proponents: cost and modern practice

David Goldwater of Pinion Public Affairs, representing the Self Storage Association, and industry witnesses said the newspaper publication requirement is outdated. Goldwater told the panel, ‘‘This is a simple bill.’’ Todd Weyard, president of the Nevada Self Storage Association and owner-operator of StoreAll LLC, said advertising costs often exceed amounts the facility recovers from lien sales and provided company figures: in 2024 his company recorded nearly $62,000 in losses from tenant defaults and costs associated with lien sales and $73,000 in 2023. Weyard said newspaper ads contributed substantially to those costs.

Kim Siclari, general counsel for Devon Self Storage, told the committee operators already use direct notices required by statute and online auctions; allowing web publication ‘‘is an option to run their business’’ without removing statutory consumer protections. Siclari explained operators send two direct notices to tenants, including a notice that allows the tenant to oppose the lien and stop the sale, and said online advertising can increase bidder participation while lowering expense.

Industry witnesses noted most other states have moved away from printed-publication requirements: Torres Fawcett and witnesses said 32 states and the District of Columbia allow website publication or have no advertising requirement, and neighboring Colorado and Utah have adopted similar reforms.

Opponents: transparency and access concerns

Speakers representing newspapers and press organizations opposed the bill. Bob Conrad of the Nevada Press Association and the Nevada Open Government Coalition said printed public notices provide an ‘‘oversight’’ function and increase the chance that owners or neighbors who cannot be reached directly will learn of an impending sale. Scott Sibley of Nevada Legal News and the Nevada State Press Association said printed notices improve due process and that a statewide searchable site already exists to post notices published in Nevada newspapers.

Thomas Morley, who said he represents the Review-Journal and several unions, urged caution on internet access gaps for economically disadvantaged and rural residents, saying some people lack reliable access to a phone or internet.

Members’ questions and clarifications

Committee members asked whether the bill would remove descriptive requirements and whether social media could qualify. Industry witnesses said the intent is to retain consumer protections and that the bill is intended to allow publication on websites that ‘‘customarily advertise or conduct sales of property,’’ which could include listings services, marketplaces or an operator’s own site if those platforms meet the definition. David Goldwater said sponsors will work with the committee on any needed language to preserve required descriptions or photos.

Sponsor actions and next steps

Torres Fawcett said she would offer an amendment to add Assemblymember Alexis Hansen as a cosponsor; Goldwater confirmed a proposed amendment to add Hansen was filed on NELIS. No vote was taken at the hearing; the committee closed the hearing after public comment.

Public testimony and examples

Supporters from the storage industry and related businesses — including Tom Clark for U-Haul and Diana Granados, district manager for Crescendo Self Storage Management — told the committee the change would reduce costs for operators and consumers and reflect operational practices such as online auctions. Opponents reiterated concerns about reduced public notice and urged retaining printed publication as an additional safeguard.

The committee took no formal action on AB 137 at the March 17 hearing. Sponsors and bill proponents said they will work with members and stakeholders on technical clarifications before the measure returns for further committee consideration.