By Carly Sauvageau The Nevada Independent Bill introductions during floor sessions on the first major deadline of the legislative session wrapped up around 3:15 p.m. on Monday. That’s because legislative leaders suspended rules requiring legislators’ bills to be introduced by the 43rd day of the session (March 20), instead allowing the Legislative Counsel Bureau’s … [Read more...]
From voting to car seat rule changes, new Nevada laws take effect Jan. 1
By Megan MesserlyThe Nevada Independent With the new year comes, yet again, another new set of laws on the books. More than 55 bills enacted by the Legislature in 2021 take effect either in whole or in part today. They include several health care-related laws — making changes to Medicaid services, establishing a pathway for people to obtain birth control without a … [Read more...]
Nevada lawmakers wrap up after Democrats flex power
By Ryan Tarinelli and Michelle Price Associated Press CARSON CITY — Nevada lawmakers were winding down their biennial session Monday night after passing their core budget bills and approving a measure to overhaul the state’s criminal justice laws with hours to spare. Lawmakers’ chief task of funding the government was dispatched on the final day, passing the … [Read more...]
Clock ticking for Nevada Democrats to pass major reforms
By Ryan Tarinelli Associated Press CARSON CITY — Nevada Democrats face an end-of-session deadline as they work to pass key legislation that would overhaul the state’s education funding formula, curb a growing prison population and give collective bargaining rights to state workers. Lawmakers entered the final full week of the 2019 legislative session Monday amid a … [Read more...]
Time is running out for public records reform this session
By Richard Karpel Sometimes the gears of the Legislature get jammed for no good reason and only a massive outcry from the people can get them unstuck. That’s where we are with Senate Bill 287, which would make government more transparent and accountable by adding teeth to the state’s Public Records Act. Sen. David Parks (D-7), the primary sponsor of the bill, and Right to … [Read more...]
Nevada Democrats fail to move forward on death penalty ban
By Ryan Tarinelli Associated Press CARSON CITY — Opponents of capital punishment began the Nevada legislative session bolstered by the governor’s general disapproval of the death penalty. But two bills that would have banned the punishment didn’t receive hearings and failed last week due to a legislative deadline. Political observers say Democratic leadership wanted … [Read more...]
Move to decriminalize minor traffic violations opposed by police, local governments
By Riley Snyder The Nevada Independent One of the most significant criminal justice bills of the 2019 Legislature — decriminalizing minor traffic violations — is being opposed by police and local governments who lauded the effort but claimed it would be “nigh on impossible” to implement. As introduced by Democratic Assemblyman Steve Yeager, AB411 would move the vast … [Read more...]
Senate Democrats seek annual legislative sessions in Nevada
By Ryan Tarinelli Associated Press CARSON CITY — Democrats in the state Senate have revived an effort to bring annual legislative sessions to Nevada, one of the few states that hold sessions every other year. Ten Democratic Senators have signed on in support of a resolution that would create a 90-day legislative session in years that end with an odd number and a 60-day … [Read more...]