NRS277A.345. Counties whose population is 700,000 or more: Establishment of regional rapid transit authority; development of plan for establishment of regional rapid transit system by authority.

      1.  In a county whose population is 700,000 or more, the commission shall establish a regional rapid transit authority. The membership of the regional rapid transit authority must consist of:

      (a) The general manager of the commission, who shall act as chair of the authority;

      (b) One member appointed by the board of county commissioners;

      (c) Three members, one from each of the three largest cities within the county, who are appointed by the respective governing bodies of each city;

      (d) One member selected by the association of gaming establishments whose membership collectively paid the most gaming license fees to the State pursuant to NRS 463.370 in the county in the preceding year;

      (e) One member who is selected by the economic development authority in the county;

      (f) One member selected by the Department of Transportation; and

      (g) One member who has expertise in urban planning and design or architecture selected by the Nevada Arts Council.

      2.  The regional rapid transit authority shall develop a plan for the establishment of a regional rapid transit system:

      (a) In cooperation with economic development, engineering, planning, tourism and utility interests in the county; and

      (b) With the goal of quantifying the implications of introducing an exclusive rapid transit system in identified corridors in the county.

      3.  In carrying out its duties pursuant to subsection 2, the regional rapid transit authority shall:

      (a) Hold public meetings to, without limitation:

             (1) Evaluate the need for and desirability of a regional rapid transit system;

             (2) Assess corridor and route feasibility and desirability; and

             (3) Review existing mass transit options to determine how to incorporate such options into a regional rapid transit system;

      (b) Undertake an analysis of various considerations involved with introducing and implementing a regional rapid transit system in the county, including, without limitation:

             (1) An assessment of the available rapid transit technologies, including, without limitation, technologies that use solar power or other renewable energy sources to minimize or eliminate the use of carbon-based fuels;

             (2) An assessment of the opportunities, costs and constraints of corridor options, including, without limitation:

                   (I) An examination and evaluation of existing rail corridors and transit routes for inclusion in the regional rapid transit system;

                   (II) An evaluation of potential sites for stations and facilities for the regional rapid transit system; and

                   (III) Identification of locations in the county that would benefit most from proximity to a regional rapid transit system, including, without limitation, airports and existing or proposed special event venues such as stadiums and racetracks;

             (3) Estimates as to capital and operating costs;

             (4) An assessment of potential ridership and passenger demand;

             (5) An assessment of the environmental impact;

             (6) A potential project schedule; and

             (7) An assessment of financing options and funding sources, including, without limitation:

                   (I) Processes for securing federal funding; and

                   (II) The potential for voter approval for bonds to support any portion of the regional rapid transit system.

      4.  On or before February 1 of each year, the regional rapid transit authority shall submit a written report to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the appropriate committee or committees of the Legislature. The report must set forth, without limitation:

      (a) The activities and meetings of the authority;

      (b) Any findings made by the authority regarding the analysis required by subsection 3; and

      (c) The plan or current draft of the plan developed by the authority pursuant to subsection 2.

      (Added to NRS by 2011, 2461)