Assembly Bill 137, sponsored by Assemblymembers Selena Torres-Fossett and Alexis Hansen, aims to modernize a law from 1983 regarding the auction of belongings from self-storage units in Nevada. The bill would allow storage facilities to post auction notices online instead of in regional newspapers, reducing costs and aligning with modern practices.
Rebecca Breckon, property manager of Nellis Self Storage in Sunrise Manor, supports the bill, stating that it would save money for family-owned businesses like hers. However, opponents argue that moving notices online could reduce transparency and make it harder for renters to know when their belongings are about to be auctioned off.
The bill comes at a time when online auctions for storage units are increasingly common. Kim Siclari, general counsel for Devon Self Storage, noted that many facilities use websites like Lockerfox or Storage Treasures for auctions, rather than holding in-person events. The bill would expand options for posting auction notices to include sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
The Nevada Press Association and the Nevada Open Government Coalition oppose the bill, stating that newspaper postings provide oversight and transparency in the auction process. Executive Editor Glenn Cook emphasized the importance of legal notices published in newspapers, as they guarantee that seizures and auctions are not carried out in secrecy.
Supporters of the bill argue that more people read online than in print newspapers, and therefore online postings would improve transparency. The debate highlights the ongoing shift from print to online media and the importance of balancing transparency with modern business practices in the self-storage industry.
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