CARSON CITY (AP) - A Senate committee this week unanimously approved a proposed constitutional amendment to repeal tax protections for the mining industry following a hearing peppered by testy exchanges between mining representatives and a Republican lawmaker pushing for higher mining taxes.
Senate Joint Resolution 15, first approved by the 2011 Legislature, would repeal a state constitutional provision that allows for the taxation of net proceeds on minerals. A 5 percent cap, added in 1989, is calculated after costs for extraction minerals and other business expenses are deduced.
Nevada Mining Association president Tim Crowley argued that repealing the mining provision would "cause significantly less revenue for state and local governments," and create instability in local economies and the mining industry.
"The Constitution doesn't protect the industry," he said, adding it allows for the taxation of mining "above and beyond" taxes paid by all industries, including mining.
If SJR15 is approved, he argued, the industry's 5 percent net proceeds taxes would be lowered to that of other property taxes.
But that argument is in contrast to an opinion by a legislative lawyer, who said net proceeds provisions are still in state statute and would be enforceable.
Crowley's testimony brought a terse response from Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson, R-Henderson, who has said he'll push for higher mining taxes as an alternative to a business margins tax that will appear on the November 2014 ballot.
Roberson pressed Crowley on whether the industry would sue the state over tax levies should SJR15 prevail.
Crowley said that decision would be left up to individual mining companies.
Under questioning by Sen. Greg Brower, R-Reno, Crowley said the Legislature has the power to impose other taxes on mining.
"You have the ability to tax us with sales taxes, modified business tax which we pay. Should you implement a margins tax, the mining industry would pay that. We are not immune to taxation," Crowley said.
SJR15 now goes to the full Senate. If ultimately approved by the Legislature, it will go to voters for ratification in 2014.[[In-content Ad]]
