Committee considers AB361 to require barriers and panic buttons on large transit buses after driver assault video

CARSON CITY — The Assembly Committee on Growth and Infrastructure heard Assembly Bill 361 on measures to protect public transit operators, including a requirement that regional transportation commissions in counties with populations over 100,000 install protective barriers and panic buttons on buses that require a commercial driver's license to operate.

Assemblymember Linda Hunt, sponsor of AB361, said the bill "protects Nevada public transit operators and strengthens Nevada transportation system" by implementing enhanced safety measures. Ross Kinson, president of the Northern Nevada Central Labor Council and a business agent with Teamsters Local 533, described the proposal as a targeted safety bill and presented graphic video of an attack on a transit operator that occurred in Northern Nevada.

The committee was shown a February 3 video of the assault on a 78-year-old driver, Thomas Parsons. Kinson said Parsons "suffered 6 broken ribs and a broken jaw" and has lost significant work time. Andrew Rivas, a Teamsters political field organizer, read a statement from Parsons: "No one should ever have to fear for their life while doing their job."

Kinson said AB361, as amended through stakeholder talks, removes earlier proposed trespass and removal penalties and instead focuses on prevention: "This amendment reflects the consensus that the best approach is prevention, not punishment." Key provisions presented to the committee require driver enclosures ("a physical full barrier"), panic buttons and other safety technology on vehicles that require a CDL to operate; the bill would also require signage informing passengers of criminal penalties for assault of a transit operator under NRS 200.471 and battery of a transit operator under NRS 200.481.

Committee members asked for implementation details. Kinson said the amendment limits the requirement to large buses: "we wanna make it clear that this is about our larger buses, not the smaller buses that take around, folks with disabilities or things like that." Regarding timing, Jessie Demmer of the Legislative Counsel's Office confirmed that because the bill contains no specific effective date it would become effective Oct. 1 following passage.

Supporters included a broad coalition of labor unions, transit workers and public-safety advocates. Teamsters Local 533 principals and stewards described repeated assaults, spitting, and beer being thrown at drivers. Gary Watson, principal officer of Teamsters Local 533, said, "Nevada transit workers deserve better. This bill mandates real concrete safety measures like protective barriers and panic buttons." Bus operators and union representatives testified from both Northern and Southern Nevada; the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, AAA, Sierra Club and local city officials also voiced support.

Regional Transportation Commission representatives testified neutral and said many of the safety measures in section 1 are already in place. Demi Falcon, representing the RTC of Southern Nevada, said, "The RTC has already implemented the safety measures outlined in section 1 of the bill ... driver enclosures, panic buttons, and live looking cameras throughout our fleet." Michael Hillerby, speaking for RTC Washoe County, said most of the fixed-route fleet already has enclosures but older buses were being retrofitted; he said 28 enclosures were ordered last November and were expected to arrive immediately for installation.

Lawmakers asked about technical standards and the form of barriers. Ross Kinson and proponents described the requirement as "and not an or" (barriers and panic buttons) and said the RTCs have been part of discussions about what vehicle enclosures should look like. Kinson told the committee the bill applies to counties with populations "of over 100,000 or more" and to vehicles that require a CDL.

No opposition testimony was recorded. After more than two dozen witnesses testified in support or neutrality, Hunt closed by urging the committee's approval and thanking the stakeholders who worked on the amendment. The committee did not record a vote during the hearing.