Opinion ID: 1183189
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the police powers of the state

Text: The district court held that NRS 486.231 violated the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment because the statute exceeds the scope of the State's police powers. The basis of the court's holding is that the proper function of the legislature does not include the duty of the government to protect an individual from himself. The authority to provide for health, safety and welfare of the citizen is inherent in the police power of the State without any express statutory or constitutional provision. Ex Parte Boyce, 27 Nev. 299, 75 P. 1 (1904). Although the police power cannot justify the enactment of unreasonable, unjust or oppressive laws, it may legitimately be exercised for the purpose of preserving, conserving and improving public health, safety, morals and general welfare. Ormsby County v. Kearney, 37 Nev. 314, 142 P. 803 (1914). In exercising its police powers, the legislature may, where public interest demands, define and declare public offenses, although the effect is to restrict or regulate the use and enjoyment of private property. State v. Park, 42 Nev. 386, 178 P. 389 (1919). While Checker, Inc. v. Public Serv. Comm'n, 84 Nev. 623, 446 P.2d 981 (1968), dealt with the legislature's authority to regulate taxicabs, the same general principles are equally applicable in the instant case. Public highways are public property. There is no vested right in highways. Id. Unrestrained use of highways is equivalent to appropriation of public property for private use, and the legislature may prohibit the use or prescribe the terms upon which it may be exercised. This legislative power is founded upon the police power of the state. Id. A mandatory helmet law is within the police power of the state because reducing the severity of injuries to motorcyclists has an impact beyond attempting to protect the motorcyclist from himself. Requiring motorcyclists to wear protective headgear while using the public highways is permissible since it is rationally related to a legitimate state purpose. The mandatory helmet law does not violate any of Marber's constitutional rights. The district court erred in declaring NRS 486.231 unconstitutional. We have reviewed Marber's remaining contentions and conclude that they are without merit. Accordingly, we grant the petition for a writ of certiorari, and declare that NRS 486.231 is constitutional. The district court's order and judgment is vacated. The case is remanded to the district court with instructions to reinstate the judgment of conviction pursuant to Marber's plea of nolo contendere.