1. A prime contractor:

(a) Upon a notice of lien, may recover the lienable amount as may be due, plus all amounts that may be awarded by the court pursuant to NRS 108.237; and

(b) Upon receipt of the amount described in paragraph (a), shall pay all liens for the work, equipment or materials which were furnished or to be furnished as provided in NRS 108.221 to 108.246, inclusive.

2. In all cases where a prime contractor has been paid for the work, materials or equipment which are the subject of a notice of lien recorded under NRS 108.221 to 108.246, inclusive, the prime contractor shall defend the owner in any action brought thereupon at the prime contractor’s own expense.

3. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if a lien claimant records a notice of lien for the work, equipment or materials furnished or to be furnished to the prime contractor, the owner may withhold from the prime contractor the amount of money for which the lien claimant’s notice of lien is recorded. If the lien claimant’s notice of lien resulted from the owner’s failure to pay the prime contractor for the lien claimant’s work, materials or equipment, the owner shall not withhold the amount set forth in the notice of lien from the prime contractor if the prime contractor or lien claimant tenders a release of the lien claimant’s lien to the owner. In case of judgment against the owner or the owner’s property which is the subject of the lien, the owner may deduct, from any amount due or to become due to the prime contractor, the amount paid by the owner to the lien claimant for which the prime contractor was liable and recover back from the prime contractor any amount so paid by the owner in excess of the amount the court has found that the owner owes to the prime contractor.

(Added to NRS by 1965, 1164; A 2003, 2606; 2005, 1903)