CARSON CITY -- Legislation enabling Nye County commissioners to increase the sales tax one-half percent is still alive in the Nevada Assembly.

The Nevada Senate previously voted down Senate Bill 257 -- specifically authorizing the county sales tax increase -- by a 12-9 vote April 23.

But the proposal was resurrected last week as an amendment to Assembly Bill 461, introduced by Assemblyman David Parks, D-Las Vegas, which would change reporting requirements for the Clark County Sales and Use Tax Act of 2005.

The amendment was placed by State Sen. Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, whose district includes Nye County. However, based on a recommendation from Assemblywoman Kathy McClain, D-Las Vegas, the Assembly decided not to concur with passage of the new bill.

Laura Billman of Nevada Elect, a lobbyist for Nye County, said the assembly chairman wanted more language inserted establishing a reporting system to monitor the funding, as the original legislation would set up in Clark County.

"The tax oversight needs to apply to Nye County. This was originally a tax oversight for Clark County," Billman said.

It's likely the bill will be referred to a joint Senate and Assembly concurrent committee, consisting of three members from each house, Billman said.

Nevada District 36 Assemblyman Ed Goedhart, R-Amargosa Valley, said he would vote for the bill if it reaches the floor. He emphasized it's not a tax increase.

"The voters in the last election chose to allow the county to consider increasing the sales tax. This enabling legislation allows the county commission to make this decision after public hearings and input. I believe in allowing the counties to chart their own destiny and react to their own specific needs and situations," Goedhart said.

"The commissioners are the ones closest to the voters. They are rightfully the ones that should make the determination whether or not an increase is needed."

Goedhart said the bill would set up a lot of restrictions on how the money can be spent. He said Gov. Jim Gibbons, an opponent of new taxes, could sign the bill.

"This it not a sales tax increase, which would be against the governor's pledge. This is enabling legislation that allows the commission to make the determination what is right for their residents, their voters and their county," the freshman assemblyman said.

Half of the sales tax increase would go to the Nye County Sheriff's Office, half to county fire departments. The total sales tax in Nye County would increase from 6.75 percent to 7.25 percent if enacted.

Pahrump would receive $1.92 million, about 80 percent of the revenues of the additional half-cent sales tax, according to budget estimates.

There has been a mixed attitude toward the sales tax. County commissioners voted 3-2 last July to put the measure on the Nov. 7 ballot, northern commissioner Joni Eastley and Roberta "Midge" Carver opposed.

Round Mountain Gold Co. representatives lobbied against the bill, claiming it would cost the mine an additional $200,000 in sales tax per year, without corresponding benefits.

The ballot question passed by only 18 votes Nov. 7. However Nye County Commission Chairman Gary Hollis, in testifying for SB 257, commented that some officials won election in Nye County by smaller margins.

Pahrump Fire Chief Scott Lewis said the additional funding would allow the Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue Service to have 10 firefighters on each shift instead of seven.

The regular session of the Nevada legislature is scheduled to adjourn Monday.