2021 Legislative Bill Tracker

Update | 04/22/21

For the most up to date information during this fast-paced portion of the legislative process, click here (or the link below) to view the working spreadsheet version of this bill tracker. Otherwise, scroll below to view summaries of each bill by category.

For a spreadsheet version of this tracker, click here. 

>>>Click here to read previous updates<<<

Policy areas

(Click on a policy area to jump to bills related to that issue.)

Budget and Taxes | Education Reform
Transparency | Worker Freedom | Miscellaneous

 

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Assembly Bills:

  • AB19 | Revises provisions relating to educational subjects and standards | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Passed Assembly. Title approved. (Yeas: 28, Nays: 14.) To Senate.
    Asm. Cmte on Education

      • Background: A poorly veiled attempt to further indoctrinate K-12 students w/ progressive orthodoxy by removing “government” from the public curriculum, in favor of issues like “multicultural affairs.” Such language is a strong indication that politically controversial topics—such as critical race theory and others—would be required curriculum for all students in Nevada if passed. This bill also needlessly attacks homeschoolers, demanding the same politicized curriculum requirements for those who have opted out of the public school system.
        More Background
  • AB39 | Carves unnecessary exemptions to Nevada’s Public Records Act (PRA) | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Cmte on Gov’t Affairs (Click for committee contact info)

      • Background: This proposal exempts the following public information/documents from the Nevada Public Records Act: 1) Records that reflects interagency or intraagency predecisional deliberations; and 2) notes and working papers prepared by or for a public officer or employee used solely for that officer’s or employee’s own personal use and other materials that do not have an official purpose. Taxpayers have a fundamental right to witness how their public servants represent them, including information regarding any pre-decision deliberations and on-the-job writings.
        More Background
  • AB46 | Repeals Nevada’s “commerce” tax, enacted in 2015 (2019 revenues = ~$225m before 50% MBT-credit offset) | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Cmte on Revenue (Nye County) (Click for committee contact info)

      • Background: Gross-receipts taxes like the “commerce” tax tend to increase consumer prices disproportionately due to “tax pyramiding,” which is why most GRTs were abandoned in the early- to mid-1900’s. (Gov’t likes them b/c their revenues are less elastic than income taxes.) Businesses w/ revenues 4+ million are liable, profitable or not. Repeal the “commerce” tax to help workers!
        More Background
  • AB57 | Temporarily suspends certain requirements relating to certain teacher and administrator evaluations | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Passed Assembly, as amended. Title approved. (Yeas: 26, Nays: 16.) To Senate.
    Cmte on Education (Click for committee contact info)

      • Background: Teacher unions have spent years advocating for as little teacher accountability as possible when it comes to student learning. Under existing law, “pupil growth” accounts for only 15% of a teacher’s performance evaluation. This bill temporarily suspends that that proportion to 0% through the 2022-2023 school year. When teachers are not held directly accountable to the educational growth of their students, those students are more likely to fail.
        More background
  • AB61 | Makes robocalls a felony crime, makes it illegal to charge high prices for certain goods during times of emergencies. | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly
      • Background: When the government disrupts or restricts free market activity, the result is almost always negative consequences for society. The government has no role in setting prices, and bills like these would make it harder to obtain scarce goods at a time of crisis.
        More Background
  • AB71 | Revises provisions relating to certain information maintained by the Division of Natural Heritage of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resource | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly |
    Sponsors: Asm. Cmte. on Natural Resources

      • Background: Anti-transparency bill: “Assembly Bill 71 proposes to amend the Nevada Public Records Act to make all records maintained by the Nevada Division of Natural Heritage (NDNH) related to the location of a sensitive species confidential and exempt from public records requests. It also proposes a system
        where NDNH could chose to release records would be released to select, approved members of the public.”
        More background
  • AB73 | Revises provisions relating to the licensure of dietitians | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly |
    Cmte. on Commerce & Labor (Click for committee contact info)

      • Background: A minor easing of Nevada’s occupational-licensure burden for dieticians.
  • AB82 | Requires that instruction in the founding principles of American government be specifically included in public schools. | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Wheeler

      • Background: Traditional public K-12 has increasingly veered away from once-accepted teaching norms regarding the foundations of American governance. A firmer grasp on the ideological principles which founded this nation can help to create a more informed and prosperous society.
        More background
  • AB91 | Revises provisions relating to the State Board of Nursing | Analysis: Neutral | Status: Passed assembly. Hearing 4/14 @ 8AM before Senate C&L
    Sponsor: Aswm. Teresa Benitez-Thompson

      • Background: Eliminates term limits for members of the State Board of Nursing, and amends certain eligibility criteria for members to serve. Abolishing term limits will only further embolden the existing, cartel-like system of occupational regulation in Nevada. The Nevada Legislature needs to reduce the reach and influence of these boards — not empower them.
        More background
  • AB93 | Revises provisions relating to states of emergency or declarations of disaster proclaimed by the Governor | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Asm. Wheeler; Aswm. Dickman; Asm. O’Neill; Asm. Ellison

      • Background: This bill provides that a state of emergency or declaration of disaster proclaimed by the Governor terminates automatically 15 days after it is proclaimed by the Governor unless the legislature expressly authorizes the continuance via resolution. (Similar to Senate Bill 88.)
        More background
  • AB98 | Revises provisions governing legislative measures that may be requested for a regular legislative session | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly |
    Sponsors: Aswm. Titus; Asm. McArthur; Aswm. Dickman; Aswm. Kasama; Asm. Leavitt

      • Background: This bill proposes to reduce the number of bill-draft requests certain lawmakers can submit during any particular legislative session. Generally speaking, less legislation is good legislation when it comes to Nevada’s 120-day session.
  • AB99 | Revises provisions governing public works, prevailing-wage mandates | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Asm. Ellison; Aswm. Dickman; Asm. O’Neill; Asm. Wheeler; Sen. Goicoechea

      • Background: This proposal increases the threshold — from 100k to 250k — for prevailing-wage mandates to apply to any contract for public works relating to the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). Such PV mandates needlessly increase the price of public-works projects to the detriment of taxpayers. This bill’s proposal is rather marginal, but any progress here is good progress. Ideally, PV mandates should be abolished in favor of market pricing.
        More background
  • AB108 | Creates the Nevada Office of the Inspector General | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Aswm. Miller

      • Background: Though NPRI typically opposes expanding the size of gov’t, NV state gov’t desperately lacks appropriate protocols for investigating fraud, corruption, and other potentially nefarious activities. The addition of an inspector general’s office would provide better oversight for our public officials, and hold them accountable for their misdeeds.
  • AB109 | Revises provisions relating to charter schools | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Passed Assemly 31-9
    Asm. Cmte on Education

      • Background: This proposal represents another attack against school-choice policies, no doubt initiated by powerful teachers’ union influences. This bill would needlessly increase licensure requirements for certain charter-school teachers. Admittedly, it’s softer than 2019’s proposal to implement a moratorium on new charter schools. Nonetheless, this bill represents the Left’s prioritization of special-interest labor groups over the interests of students. View the link below to view the majority proportions who favor school-choice programs.
        More Background
  • AB116 | Decriminalizes minor traffic violations | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Introduced 2/12/21
    Sponsors: Aswm. Nguyen; Aswm. Krasner; others

      • Background: It is a waste of resources to treat minor traffic violations as serious crimes. This proposal would decriminalizes minor traffic violations, making them civil infractions and ending the practice of issuing warrants when an individual can’t afford to pay the fines, fees and assessments imposed.
        More Background
  • AB120 | Exempts businesses that have gross revenue below a certain amount from the requirement to obtain a state business license | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Aswm. Black; Aswm. Dickman; Asm. Matthews; Asm. Wheeler; Asm. Ellison

      • Background: A much-needed lifeline to struggling Nevada business owners. This proposal exempts smaller businesses from having to pay annual business license fees and eases those annual fees for somewhat larger businesses. This bill is expected to be amended, however, to eliminate, entirely, mandated annual business license fees across the state. The bill’s main proponent, Aswm. Annie Black, has indicated as much (see link to right), recognizing that Nevada is only one of five states to require annual business license fees.
        More Background
  • AB124 | Revises provisions relating to employment | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Aswm. Duran; Aswm. Torres; Asm. Watts

      • Background: Needlessly imposes additional regulations upon employers by restricting their access to a potential employee’s past salary history. Further, it requires employers to, upon the request of a prospective employee who has completed an interview for a position of employment, disclose to the prospective employee the minimum wage rate for the position. Section 8 further requires such an employer to disclose the salary range, wage scale or, if such a range or scale is not available, the minimum wage rate for a position of employment to an employee who has completed an interview for or been offered a promotion or transfer to the position. This bill should be opposed on all fronts and should be perceived as mere virtue-signaling. Businesses need help right now — not add’l regulations and mandates w/ which to comply.
  • AB141 | Revises provisions relating to evictions | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly |
    Sponsor: Asm. Watts

      • Background: This proposal further erodes what Nevadans have left of their property rights. This bill goes so far as to require 90-days notice from a landlord regarding evictions in certain situations, seemingly w/ little concern that property owners/landlords have borne most of the COVID economic damage.
  • AB142 | Enacts the Nurse Licensure Compact | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Asm. O’Neill; Aswm. Titus; Aswm. Dickman; Aswm. Tolles; Sen. Hardy

      • Background: Embracing occupational-licensing reciprocity wherever and whenever possible will increase total employment and bolster Nevada’s economic recovery from the COVID downturn. (See report linked below.)
        More background
  • AB151 | Revises provisions relating to offenses | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 2/25/21 @ 9AM Assembly Judiciary
    Sponsors: Aswm. Gonzalez; Aswm. Torres

      • Background: Eliminates the practice of revoking a driver’s license from those who have unpaid court fees related to minor traffic offenses. A very commonsense approach whose benefits should be obvious — How can somebody be expected to travel to/from employment (to repay overdue court bills) if he/she can’t get to work? Don’t further punish those who are marginalized and lack financial resources by making their “road to redemption” more difficult.
  • AB153 | Revises provisions governing performance contracts | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 3/2/21 @ 9AM Assembly Gov’t affairs
    Sponsors: Aswm. Bilbray-Axelrod; Sen. Brooks

      • Background: Commonsense measure to provide local governments w/ more flexibility regarding surpluses derived from performance-based contracts, specifically for the purchase and installation of operating cost-savings measures to reduce costs related to such matters as energy, water and the disposal of waste, and related labor costs.
  • AB155 | Increases the maximum amount of certain fees imposed by the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing Board | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Aswm. Gorelow; Aswm. Nguyen

      • Background: Increased fees lead to increased occupational-licensure burdens. Licensing should instead be deregulated wherever appropriate, e.g., for occupations posing no public risk, so as to maximize employment for the COVID economic recovery.
        More background
  • AB159 | Limits the civil liability of certain public schools for personal injury or death resulting from exposure to COVID-19 | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead 
    Sponsors: Aswm. Hansen; Aswm. Titus; Sens. Hansen, Hammond, Pickard, Buck

      • Background: A commonsense proposal to encourage government schools to fully reopen while limiting a district’s financial risk/vulnerability to litigation during the pandemic.
  • AB161 | Makes various changes relating to actions for summary eviction | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Introduced 2/22/21
    Sponsors: Aswm. Torres; Aswm. Summers-Armstrong

      • Background: Another attack against the traditional property rights of Nevadans, a central theme of Governor Sisolak’s one-man-rule of Nevada during the pandemic. This bill inappropriately increases protections for tenants vis-a-vis summary-eviction proceedings in cases where tenants have failed to pay rent and, thus, have broken the terms of their lease. Revoking the rights of property owners — central to capitalism and free markets — will bring more economic destruction, not less, in the long-term.
  • AB162 | Revises provisions relating to apprentices | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Aswm. Titus; Aswm. Dickman; Asm. Ellison; Sen. Goicoechea

      • Background: This bill eliminates mandates re hiring apprentices for public works in counties whose population is less than 100,000 (currently all counties except Clark and Washoe). Any deregulation when it comes to public-works projects–already overpriced due to prevailing-wage mandates–should be embraced. Moreover, aspiring apprentices are difficult to locate in many of Nevada’s rural areas.
  • AB183 | Revises provisions governing transparency in collective bargaining | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead 
    Sponsors: Asm. Matthews; Asm. Ellison; Aswm. Titus; Aswm. Dickman; Asm. Black

      • Background: This proposal would remove the government-union exemptions (NRS 288.220, NRS 288.590) from the state’s Open Meeting Law regarding the collective bargaining process. These negotiations are of significant importance to public policy and must be conducted in public view. There is no valid justification for secrecy in this impactful process for taxpayers. Note: This reform is supported by a 4:1 margin among likely NV voters, including 2/3 of union households. See link below.
        More Background
  • AB184 | Creates the Office of Small Business Advocacy within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor| Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 3/15/21
    Sponsors: Asm. Frierson; Asmw. Benitez-Thompson

      • Background: Nevada government can best help small businesses by re-opening the state and reducing the various licensing fees, regulations and taxes imposed upon them. Small business owners are experts at serving the community, not navigating yet another government bureaucracy which will only increase costs and divert resources away from productive uses.
  • AB185 | Eliminates certain scheduled increases in the minimum wage | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Asm. McArthur; Asm. Matthews; Asm. Wheeler; Aswm. Titus; Aswm. Dickman

      • Background: Per AB456 (2019), Nevada’s minimum wage is scheduled to increase, annually, at a rate of 75 cents/yr until 2024, when the minimum wage reaches $12/hr (or $11/hr if the employer offers qualifying health benefits). This bill seeks to halt future, scheduled increases — the next occurring on July 1, 2021 — in recognition of the fact that public policy should prioritize maximum employment, especially as we recover/continue to endure the COVID pandemic. Increased minimum-wage mandates will result in higher rates of unemployment, part-time labor, and reduced earnings for lower-income workers, generally, thus lessening the pace of economic recovery.
        More Background
  • AB190 | Provides certain employees with the right to use sick leave to assist certain family members with medical needs | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Introduced 3/4/21
    Assembly Committee on C&L

      • Background: Policymakers should not increase regulations on employers with such mandates as they will increase costs to businesses and, thus, decrease their ability to hire new employees. As in AB185, Nevada should prioritize total employment, and this proposal is anathema to that notion.
  • AB199 | Provides for the designation and operation of charter agencies | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Asm. Matthews; Asm. Wheeler; Aswm. Dickman; Aswm. Black

      • Background: During 2020, Nevadans witnessed unprecedented failures of gov’t regarding its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. DETR, in particular, demonstrated a complete inability to properly distribute UI payments throughout 2020, and those issues continue today. Additional dollars offer no hope without structural reform. Charter agenies reform, as proposed here, would inject some free-market thinking into gov’t by empowering agency leaders to bypass the various levels of red-tape bureaucracy, appropriations process, etc. Goals will be established and, when met, individuals will be finacially rewarded. Essentially, this model promises better performance w/ fewer costs. This same reform proved remarkably successful in Iowa in the 2000’s, and the concept even received an innovation award from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
  • AB206| Makes accommodations for remote learning for charter schools and military families | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 3/30 @ 1PM Assembly Education
    Sponsors: Asm. Leavitt; Aswm. Titus

      • Background: This bill makes it easier for students of military families who have received orders to relocate to enroll in distance learning at public schools, including charter schools.
  • AB208| Authorizes school districts to expand their career and technical education offerings | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Asm. Leavitt; Aswm. Titus; Sen. Hardy

      • Background: This bill authorizes school districts to work with trade associations or unions to offer in-person instruction or training to students.
  • AB217 | Imposes licensing requirements on unlicensed staff in medical facilities | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing held, 3/15/21
    Assembly Committee on Health & Human Services

      • Background: This bill is a reaction to COVID that will impose excessive costs on medical care providers by imposing a host of unnecessary training and reporting requirements. No attempt to justify the benefit of these costs has been presented and, as such, it should be rejected.
  • AB227 | Increases licensing requirements for contractors | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Introduced 3/10/21
    Sponsor: Asmw. Carlton

      • Background: The bill not only sets forth the work that can be performed by a licensed contractor, but even attempts to restrict the type of people who are permitted to perform work not requiring a license! That is as crazy as it sounds.
  • AB232| Establishes Legislative Committee to Identify Waste | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Introduced 3/11/21
    Sponsors: Asm. Matthews; Asm. Wheeler; Aswm. Dickman; Aswm. Black

      • Background: Having a formal committee tasked with identifying and recommended ways to reduce nonessential government spending will help taxpayers.
  • AB242| Expands the Opportunity Scholarship Program | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Asm. Hafen; Sen. Hammond; Sen. Gansert

      • Background: Democrats have in past sessions gutted the Opportunity Scholarship Program by limiting the cap of possible donations, which fund the scholarships, to less than $7 million annually. This bill would increase that cap to $11.4 million, and thus allow for more children to receive these life-changing scholarships.
  • AB253| Increases government secrecy by weakening the Open Meetings Law | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Heard 3/18/21
    Sponsors: Assemblywoman Venicia Considine

      • Background: This bill weakens a variety of reporting requirements under Nevada’s Open Meetings Law, making it easier for governments to conduct their affairs in secret.
  • AB265 | Revises provisions governing alternative routes to licensure for school administrators | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Aswm. Brown-May; Aswm. Anderson

      • Background: This bill appears to modestly expand the alternative licensure process for aspiring school administrators, therefore reducing the licensure burden, generally. NPRI supports the bill as originally drafted, but opposes certain provisions of the proposed conceptual amendment (e.g., requiring a masters before people can qualify for a provisional license). That said, even w/ that amendment (should it be approved), we are on board.
        More background
  • AB276| Increases fee award for prevailing requester in public records litigation | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly |Status: Dead
    Sponsors:  Aswm. Dickman; Aswm. Black; Asm. Wheeler; Asm. Matthews

      • Background: Current law entitles requesters who prevail in public records litigation to receive their legal costs from the offending government agency. This bill would increase that fee award to 2X the cost of litigation, including attorney’s fees.
  • AB279 | Revises provisions governing taxes imposed on certain heavy equipment | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Asm. Leavitt

      • Background: Nevada has no need for additional revenue streams. Period.
  • AB287 | Providing for the licensing and regulating of freestanding birthing centers | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 3/31 @ 1:30PM
    Sponsor: Aswm. Monroe-Moreno

      • Background: Creates new licensing scheme for birthing centers. Nevada’s licensing laws are already overly-burdensome and broad in nature. This reform moves the needle in the wrong direction. Let people work w/o government interference!
        More Background
  • AB288 | Revises provisions governing student eligibility for grants provided by a scholarship organization | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Asm. Hafen

      • Background: Slightly expands eligibility for participation in Nevada’s only true school-choice program, Opportunity Scholarships. This bill increases, from 300% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Line, the income limits for a family/student to be eligible for a scholarship. Students & families need more options! PLUS, this program generates a taxpayer savings, and should be embraced as such.
        More Background
  • AB300 | Establishes a credit against the modified business (payroll) tax for a taxpayer who donates money to a youth and adolescent enrichment program in this State | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Asm. Leavitt; Sen. Hardy

      • Background: Creates tax-abatement scheme for businesses who contribute to adolescent services in the state, wherein contributors are awarded a dollar-to-dollar credit against their Modified Business Tax liability.
  • AB303 | Removes certain exceptions relating to certain requirements for paid leave | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Aswm. Summers-Armstrong; Aswm. Anderson; Aswm. Gonzalez

      • Background: Increases regulations, mandates re paid sick leave on employers w/ 50+ employees. Implementing add’l regulations on struggling employers is a terrible idea if the goal is to hire more workers and maximize total employment. This bill, while modest, will come with compliance costs and time, etc.
  • AB305 | Revises provisions relating to collective bargaining by school districts | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Aswm. Titus

      • Background: This CB bill would increase the amount of money of a district’s ending-fund-balance — from 16.67% to 25% — that cannot be considered by a fact-finder/arbitrator during impasse b/w education unions and our public officials. Pro-union arbitration judgments have resulted in financial catastrophe for local school districts (particularly Clark). This bill could go further; nevertheless, it should be embraced as sound fiscal policy.
  • AB308 | Revises provisions relating to landlords and tenants | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 4/5 @ 1PM before Asm. C&L
    Sponsor: Asm. Frierson

      • Background: Another attack against property rights. Would restrict landlords’ authority re: charging late fees. These efforts will only disincentivize prospective developments, leading to increased rental pricing. This will only worsen the “affordable housing” crisis going forward.
  • AB330 | Establishes provisions governing occupational training and licensing | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 3/22 @ 1PM
    Sponsor: Asm. Ellison

      • Background: This proposes to lessen Nevada’s onerous regulatory scheme re occupational licensing: “This bill provides that persons who complete certain training programs for occupational, vocational, career, trade or technical education and receive certificates for the completion of such programs shall be eligible to receive equivalent credit towards related professional and occupational licenses and certifications. This bill also: (1) provides for the appeal of a denial of equivalent credit; and (2) requires each state agency, board or commission which has the authority to regulate an occupation or profession, in coordination with the State Board of Education, to adopt regulations to effectuate the purposes of these provisions.”
        More background
  • AB331 | Makes various changes to provisions relating to affordable housing | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Aswm. Marzola; Aswm. Benitez-Thompson; Asm. Flores; Asm. Watts; Sen. Donate

      • Background: This proposal hopes to improve the availability of affordable housing in NV, but will likely further worsen the situation. Instead of allowing local govts to generate new revenues for targeted projects, lawmakers should be focused on improving the regulatory landscape, generally, regarding new developments. Lower taxes, fewer regs…it’s not rocket science! Increased supply translates into reduced rental pricing. This bill’s sponsor has admitted that all prior attempts by government to “solve” this situation have only made it worse. More government is not the answer!
  • AB334 | Revises provisions relating to affordable housing | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Aswm. Summers-Armstrong

      • Background: Similar to AB331, this proposal hopes to improve the availability of affordable housing in NV, but will likely further worsen the situation. Instead of allowing local govts to generate new revenues for targeted projects, lawmakers should be focused on improving the regulatory landscape, generally, regarding new developments. Lower taxes, fewer regs…it’s not rocket science! Increased supply translates into reduced rental pricing. Prior government “solutions” have not worked as advertised. More government is not the answer!
  • AB332 | Establishes provisions relating to property | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Aswm. Peters

      • Background: Another proposal which seeks to increase the burden on landlords — a central theme of the 2021 session — by mandating annual reports regarding the following: (1) the name of the landlord; (2) the state and county in which the landlord is domiciled; (3) the total number of dwelling units owned by the landlord in this State and the address of each dwelling unit; (4) the amount of periodic rent charged by the landlord for each dwelling unit in this State and the frequency with which the periodic rent is charged to the tenant; and (5) certain information relating to the property manager of the premises, if applicable. An amendment has been proposed to sunset these requirements after only two years. Even if adopted, NPRI opposes. Rarely is anything “temporary” when it comes to government.
  • AB387 | Revises provisions relating to midwives | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 4/5 @ 6PM before Asm. C&L
    Sponsors: Aswms. Monroe-Moreno; Peters; Gorelow; Summers-Armstrong; Carlton

      • Background: Needlessly creates a complex licensing scheme regarding midwives, and provides for criminal penalties for those who perform midwifery without a license.
        More background
  • AB340 | Provides for the review of certain administrative regulations by the Legislature | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 3/30 @ 9AM Asm. Gov’t Affairs
    Sponsor: Asm. Matthews

      • Background: Mirrored after the federally-proposed REINS Act, this proposal seeks to “rein-in” spending by including a legislative check against the ever-expanding administrative state, ensuring that costly regulatory expenditures are approved by the Nevada Legislature before implementation. AB340 “provides that if the economic impact of the proposed regulation is $10,000,000 or more, the agency must submit the proposed regulation to the Legislature and the Governor for approval.” A fiscally-sensible proposal requiring the Nevada Legislature and governor to take greater notice of the executive-branch regulatory environment — and its massive, hidden costs.
        More background
  • AB365 | Revises provisions relating to governmental administration | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 4/1 @ 9AM before Assembly Gov’t Affairs
    Sponsors: Aswm. Peters; Aswm. Gonzalez; Aswm. Miller; Asm. Miller

      • Background: Needless virtue-signaling re “diversity and inclusivity,” identity politics, etc., which will come w/ costs and not improve gov’t services.
  • AB380 | Revises provisions relating to utilities | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Aswm. Cohen

      • Background: Seeks to phase-out natural gas as an energy source. Natural gas is clean and should be viewed as a bridge from combustibles to cleaner energy generation. Reducing and/or eliminating the availability of natural gas will increase energy prices, which are esp. burdensome for low-income populations.
        More background
  • AB416 | Directs the Legislative Auditor to conduct audits of the Nevada System of Higher Education | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 4/8 @ 1PM Asm. Education
    Assembly Committee on Education

      • Background: A long-overdue effort to increase accountability and fiscal oversight of NSHE.
  • AB425 | Revises provisions relating to civil asset forfeiture | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 4/5 @ 8AM
    Assembly Committee on Judiciary

      • Background: Substantively, and beneficially, reforms Nevada’s laws governing civil asset forfeiture. This proposes a one-track system of criminal-asset forfeiture regarding property seized from alleged drug crimes, relying exclusively on criminal courts. Under current law, these forfeiture proceedings occur in civil court — meaning accused property owners are not provided w/ taxpayer-funded legal counsel. NPRI has proposed a conceptual amendment which would direct all revenues generated via forfeiture to a county’s (or state) General Fund, so as to eliminate the potential for “policing for profit.”
  • AB439 | Revises provisions relating to occupational licensing | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Assembly Committee on Commerce & Labor

      • Background: Eases licensure-by-endorsement requirements for military members, veterans, and their families. A positive step towards reducing Nevada’s onerous occupational-licensing burdens.
        More Background

 

Assembly Joint Resolutions:

  • AJR1** (2020, 2nd Special Session) | Proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to revise provisions governing the taxation of mines, mining claims and the proceeds of minerals extracted in this State | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Introduced 2/1/2021
    Cmte. of the Whole

      • Background: Proposes to amend the state constitution in same way as SJR1 (by eliminating the 5% cap on NET proceeds and implementing a 7.75% tax on GROSS proceeds), but AJR1 differs from SJR1 concerning the lawful purposes for the $540 million/yr in add’l state revenues it would create. Instead of earmarking revenues for a separate fund for payments to “eligible persons domiciled in this State,” a la SJR1, this proposal earmarks revenues for either healthcare and/or education purposes. Nevada Policy flat-out rejects the argument that mining is undertaxed as an industry. Nevada has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. If passed by a majority vote in both legislative chambers in 2021, the issue will be determined by voters in 2022.
        More background
  • AJR2** (2020, 2nd Special Session) | Proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to revise provisions governing the rate of the tax upon the net proceeds of minerals extracted in this State | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Introduced 2/1/2021
    Cmte. of the Whole

      • Background: The least aggressive proposal of the three (AJR1, SJR1) to amend the NV constitution so as to increase taxes on the mining industry. Whereas AJR1 and SJR1 propose to remove the existing 5% cap on net proceeds of minerals, in favor of a system which taxes GROSS mining proceeds at a rate of 7.75%, this proposal simply increases — from 5% to 12% — the existing cap on net proceeds. LCB fiscal analysts forecast this move would produce an add’l $170 million/yr in state revenues. Again, Nevada Policy flat-out rejects the argument that mining is undertaxed as an industry. Nevada has a spending problem, not a revenue problem! If passed by a majority vote in both legislative chambers in 2021, the issue will be determined by voters in 2022.
        More background
  • AJR5 | Urges Congress to sell or transfer certain public lands to local governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations. | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Introduced 2/24/2021
    Asm. Cmte. on Natural Resources

      • Background: Federal ownership of Nevada lands exceeds 80%. This land would be put to much better use by state/local authorities, not bureaucrats in D.C.
        More Background
  • AJR10* | Proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to prospectively increase the required minimum wage paid to employees | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 4/7 @ 1PM before Assembly C&L
    Asm. Cmte. on Commerce & Labor

      • Background: Making it illegal for employers to hire employees who are willing to work for a certain wage harms low-wage workers.
        More background
  • ACR2 | Terminates the emergency described in the Declaration of Emergency for COVID-19 issued by the Governor on March 12, 2020 | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Introduced 3/4/2021
    Sponsor: Aswm. Black

      • Background: Governor Sisolak’s one-man-rule for the past year makes a mockery of Nevada’s system of checks & balances, Separation of Powers, etc. Whats worse, the NV Legislature has refused to amend the governor’s emergency authority — even w/ such innocuous reforms as restricting his tyrannical powers to a certain duration, e.g., two weeks, w/o affirmative legislative consent. This move is absolutely necessary in ensuring the Legislature stops delegating its legislative authority to the governor. Such centralized power — in perpetuity — is anathema to American principles of governance.
        More background

 

Senate Bills:

  • SB5 | Makes changes relating to telehealth | Analysis: Market-friendly | Status: First cmte hearing 3/9/21 @ 3:30PM
    Cmte. On Health & Human Services

      • Background: Increases access to telehealth services for Nevadans statewide; expands scope of telehealth services to include phone calls.
        More background
  • SB9 | Creates an exemption from licensing requirements for investment advisers to certain private funds | Analysis: Worker-friendly | Status: Passed senate unanimously. Hearing 4/14 @ 8AM Assembly Judiciary 
    Cmte on Judiciary

      • Background: Marginal reduction of professional licensure burden re certain investment advisors
        More background
  • SB10 | Revises provision related to property taxes | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Cmte. On Revenue & Economic Development

      • Background:Increases property taxes. Current law caps tax increases when property values and CPI is flat or declining. This bill would eliminate that cap, thereby allowing property taxes to continue to increase during these periods. (Not to mention, Gov. Sisolak essentially revoked the property rights of Nevadans across the state w/ his emergency diktats, in-person gathering limits, eviction moratorium, etc… and this bill would INCREASE property taxes?!)
  • SB11 | Authorizes certain incorporated cities to impose a supplemental governmental services tax | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Cmte. On Revenue & Economic Development

      • Background: Allows cities in Washoe County to adopt a tax of 1% of the value of residents’ motor vehicles.
  • SB13 | Revises provisions relating to collective bargaining by local government employers | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Cmte. On Gov’t Affairs

      • Background: This reform makes the collective-bargaining process more friendly for taxpayers. Instead of 16.67% of ending-fund-balance which cannot be considered during arbitration, this bill increases the exempt amount to 25%. Will lessen the disastrous effects of public-sector bargaining/mediation at the local level. Note: Does not apply to public school districts.
  • SB35 | Revises provisions relating to the Private Investigator’s Licensing Board | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 2/22 @ 8AM
    Cmte. on Commerce & Labor

      • Background: “This bill abolishes the Fund for the Private Investigator’s Licensing Board and instead requires the Board to deposit all money that the Board receives, except fines in certain circumstances, in banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations or savings banks in this State,” per the LCB’s digest. This board has been a bad actor re financials in recent years, and this reform is overdue.
        More background
  • SB44 | Revises provisions governing behavioral health professionals | Analysis: Worker-friendly | Status: Introduced 11/18/20
    Cmte. on Commerce & Labor

      • Background: This proposes to reduce the occupational-licensing burden for certain behavior health professionals, and seeks better practices going forward to identify barriers to licensure or certification in this field.
        More background
  • SB50 | Revises provisions relating to warrants (no-knock raids) | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Heard in cmte 2/17.
    Sen. Cmte on Judiciary

      • Background: Prompted by Attorney General Ford, this bill proposes overdue restrictions on the use on no-knock warrants, which have, too often, led to the tragic killings of innocent bystanders. Limits on such police-state actions must be embraced to curb the power of the executive branch.
        More Background
  • SB64 | Revises provisions relating to property taxation | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Cmte. On Revenue & Economic Development

      • Background:While the property-tax assessment process is largely codified w/i the state constitution, this proposal seeks to increase property-tax revenues by decreasing the statutory rate of depreciation over a 50-year span from 1.5% to 1%. Unclear how much this will raise property tax revenues — no fiscal note submitted yet — but definitely a proposal to oppose, due to the fact it would raise tax burdens on Nevadans during a time of economic hardship. (Not to mention, Gov. Sisolak essentially revoked the property rights of Nevadans across the state w/ his emergency diktats, in-person gathering limits, eviction moratirium, etc… and this bill would INCREASE property taxes?!)
  • SB67 | Revises provisions relating to public works | Analysis: TBD | Status: Introduced 11/18/20
    Cmte. On Gov’t Affairs
  • SB73 | Allows the imposition of certain taxes or the reallocation of certain tax revenue to fund certain natural resources projects and services in the City of Reno based on the recommendations of a committee and voter approval | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Cmte. On Revenue & Economic Development

      • Background: Would authorize (via simple majority vote + ballot question) the City of Reno to propose and levy add’l taxes. Because Nevada is a Dillon’s Rule state, state gov’t must first sign-off on any potential local tax hikes. At local level, taxes cannot be enacted w/o 2/3 support of city council. Now, in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, and while the state is still largely shuttered, is the worst possible time to permit additional layers of taxation. NEVADA HAS A SPENDING PROBLEM, NOT A REVENUE PROBLEM!
        More background
  • SB75 | Revises provisions related to unemployment insurance | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: First cmte hearing 2/10/21
    Sen. Cmte. on Commerce & Labor

  • SB77 | Revises provisions relating to public bodies, Nevada’s Open Meetings Law | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: First cmte hearing 2/10 @ 3:30PM
    Cmte. On Gov’t Affairs

      • Background: Narrows scope of Nevada’s Open Meetings Law to exclude pre-decisional and deliberative discussions relating to the federal National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Less transparency in government is—w/ very few exceptions—horrible policy.
        More background
  • SB88 | Revises provisions relating to emergency management | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Sen. Pickard; Sen. Settelmeyer

      • Background: The senate’s proposal to limit the duration of a governor’s emergency powers w/o legislative consent (see AB93). This bill proposes to terminate a governor’s one-man rule during times of emergency at 30 days w/o legislative consent.
        More background
  • SB117 | Revises provisions relating to economic development | Analysis: TBD | Status: Introduced 2/11/21
    Sponsor: Sens. Gansert, Buck; Aswm. Tolles

      • Background: This proposal seeks to amend the planning/reporting requirements for GOED re tax abatements and directs the Legislative Commission to appoint a committee to conduct an interim study concerning existing abatements, tax exemptions and other incentives for economic development in this State. NPRI believes GOED should not exist. Instead of offering enormous tax abatements to politically-connected companies, to the detriment of taxpayers, the Legislature should seek to make Nevada’s landscape more appealing to businesses, generally, by lowering taxes and regulations. GOED’s core concept — that lower taxes/regulations will attract business — is correct. Now it needs to apply that thinking broadly.
        More Background
  • SB120 | Revises provisions relating to school administrators | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Sen. Mo Denis

      • Background: This proposal reverses a 2015 reform which insulated new principals from proper accountability. By reinstating a 3-year at-will/probationary period for K-12 principals, this bill adds accountability to public education by making it easier to fire bad apples.
        More background
  • SB142 | Revises provisions related to local governments | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Sen. Lange
  • SB152 | Revises provisions related to education and curriculum transparency | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Sen. Buck; Aswm. Dickman; Asm. Wheeler; Asm. O’Neill

      • Background: This bill was inspired by the Goldwater Institute’s Academic Transparency Act. It requires a public school with more than 500 pupils to list on its Internet website certain information relating to the learning materials and activities that were used for pupil instruction at the public school during the immediately preceding school year. This bill clarifies that this requirement must not be construed to require the digital reproduction of such materials, nor the separate reporting of individual components of materials produced as a single volume. Complete academic transparency is the best approach to combating the infiltration of controversial topics in education, e.g., Critical Race Theory, 1619 Project, etc., without parental knowledge and/or consent.
        More background
  • SB157 | Revises provisions relating to the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program | Analysis: Taxpayer and student friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Sen. Gansert

      • Background: This bill proposes a marginal reform to Nevada’s only private school-choice program, the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship program, aka Opportunity Scholarships, by removing harmful provisions inserted by the 2019 Leg which had the effect of revoking hundreds of students’ existing scholarships. Ideally, this program would be expanded to include as many participants as are interested, but such a reform is impossible when legislative leadership is wedded to teacher unions. Nonetheless, a worthy proposal by Sen. Gansert to attempt to undo the catastrophic effects of AB458 (2019) and provide more families w/ actual choices in how their children are educated. Reminder: This program predominantly serves marginalized, lower-income families (see link below).
        More Background
  • SB167 | Revises provisions relating to taxation | Analysis: TBD | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Sen. Gansert

      • Background: This bill provides that: (1) a person is authorized to seek judicial review of the final order of the Tax Commission or the Department of Motor Vehicles if he or she pays 25 percent of the amount determined to be due, excluding interest and penalties; and (2) the penalty for failure to pay a deficiency determination when it is final must not be imposed on a person seeking such judicial review unless the person fails to pay the determination when the judgment of the court becomes final or enter into an agreement to pay that amount at a later date.
  • SB172 | Revises provisions relating to education | Analysis: TBD | Status: Hearing scheduled for 3/8 @ 1PM before Sen. Educ Cmte
    Sponsors: Sen. Denis; Sen. Dondero Loop; Aswm. Tolles
  • SB201 | Requires licensing of pharmaceutical sales representatives | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 4/6 @ 3:30PM before Sen. H&HS
    Sen. Cmte. on HHS

      • Background: Needlessly adds add’l layers to Nevada’s already-burdensome occupational-licensure regulations. This action moves the needle in the wrong direction. We should be DE-licensing whenever possible, including for all professions which pose little or no actual threat to the public welfare. Reminder: Occupational-licensing boards effectively act as labor cartels, comprised of industry-insiders, who are permitted to dictate the rules for potential competitors entering their own profession.
        More background
  • SB209 | Revises provisions relating to employment regarding paid leave | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 3/22 @ 8AM
    Sponsor: Sen. Donate

      • Background: Needlessly increases regulations on employers re paid leave. Compliance costs will be real, resulting in fewer potential hires. Nevada should prioritize maximum employment, and that is best achieved by reducing the regulatory burden on businesses.
  • SB218 | Makes various changes relating to property | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 3/24 @ 1PM before Senate Judiciary
    Sponsor: Sen. Ratti

      • Background: This is another bill that cuts away at trad’l property rights involving landlords and tenants. It proposes a slew of new regulations upon landlords (e.g., prohibition from charging rental-application fees in Section 6). Compassion for those who’ve had their lives undone by COVID is crucial, but continuing to erode trad’l property rights — a cornerstone of free-market capitalism and a fundamental principle of Americanism — is hardly the correct approach.
  • SB221 | Revises provisions relating to public employment/ PERS training | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Sen. Buck; Sen. Hardy; Aswm. Dickman; Asm. O’Neill

      • Background: This bill would mandate that public employees receive a crash-course in how the NV PERS system works. Pension funding (and debt, more importantly) are, generally speaking, poorly-understood concepts for most workers. This would provide them with a better sense of how PERS operates, etc.
        More background
  • SB241 | Exempts certain persons who perform certain dental services on equines and livestock from provisions governing veterinary medicine | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Sen. Hansen

      • Background: A minor lessening of the regulatory scheme re: veterinary dental services.
        More Background
  • SB255 | Creates the Division of Supplier Diversity within the Office of Economic Development | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Introduced 3/16/21
    Sponsor: Sen. Neal

      • Background: NPRI believes GOED should not exist. Instead of offering enormous tax abatements to politically-connected companies, to the detriment of taxpayers, the Legislature should seek to make Nevada’s landscape more appealing to businesses, generally, by lowering taxes and regulations. GOED’s core concept — that lower taxes/regulations will attract business — is correct. Now it needs to apply that thinking broadly. DON’T EXPAND GOED’s SCOPE AND OPERATIONS!
        More Background
  • SB256 | Requires the Secretary of State to establish a system for the electronic circulation and signing of petitions for initiative or referendum | Analysis: TBD | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Sen. Kieckhefer
  • SB262 | Establishes provisions requiring the award of reasonable attorney’s fees under certain circumstances | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Sen. Settelmeyer; Sen. Pickard; Sen. Goicoechea; Sen. Hardy; Sen. Hansen; Aswm. Titus; Aswm. Dickman; Asm. Wheeler; Asm. O’Neill; Asm. Ellison

      • Background: The only mechanism to ensure government officials obey the Nevada Constitution is through citizen-initiated litigation. This bill would allow citizens to recover their legal fees when they successfully sue government agencies or officials on constitutional grounds. This bill would thus end the absurd practice of requiring private Nevadans to bear the cost of ensuring government complies with the Constitution!
  • SB265 | Revises provisions relating to work-based learning programs | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsors: Sen. Buck; Sen. Hammond; Sen. Pickard; Sen. Hardy; Asm. O’Neill

      • Background: Expands work-based learning programs for public K-12, and offers tax credits to businesses who participate by hiring apprentices, interns, etc.
  • SB271 | Provides for the licensure and regulation of midwives | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Dead
    Sponsor: Sen. Hammond

      • Background: Moves the needle in the wrong direction re lowering Nevada’s onerous occupational-licensing burdens. The state should reduce these burdens and make it easier — not harder — for Nevadans to find work.
        More background
  • SB276 | Imposes a technology fee for the issuance or renewal of certain licenses, certificates, permits and registrations issued by the Real Estate Division of the Department of Business and Industry | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 4/5 @ 8AM before Sen. C&L
    Sponsor: Sen. Denis

      • Background: No new taxes/fees! The feds just granted Nevada $4 billion+ in COVID funds. There is absolutely no need to increase the taxpayer burden.
  • SB278 | Revises provisions relating to taxation of cannabis | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Introduced 3/18/21
    Sponsor: Sen. Settelmeyer

      • Background: A reasonable exemption to the 15% wholesale tax on cannabis sales re transferring product between affiliated cultivation facilities.
  • SB291 | Provides for the licensure and regulation of master estheticians and instructors of master estheticians | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 3/30 @ 8AM
    Sponsor: Sen. Lange

      • Background: Moves the needle in the wrong direction re lowering Nevada’s onerous occupational-licensing burdens. The state should reduce these burdens and make it easier — not harder — for Nevadans to find work.
        More background
  • SB293 | Revises provisions relating to employment | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 3/31 @ 8AM before Sen. C&L
    Sponsor: Sen. Cannizzaro

      • Background: Prohibits an employer from seeking information relating to an applicant’s salary/wage history. Classic case of gov’t overreach.
  • SB294 | Revises provisions governing collective bargaining by local government employers | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Introduced 3/22/21
    Sponsor: Sen. Cannizzaro
  • SB306| Revises provisions relating to education savings accounts and education funding | Analysis: Taxpayer and student friendly | Status: Introduced 3/22/21
    Sponsor: Sen. Hammond

  • SB335 | Revises provisions relating to professional and occupational licensing | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 4/1 @ 8AM before Sen. C&L
    Sponsor: Sen. Hardy

  • SB346 | Imposes a tax on the retail sale of certain digital products | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 4/6 @ 1PM Sen. Economic Revenue & Development
    Sponsor: Sen. Neal

      • Background: Nevada does not need new revenues. Period.
  • SB352 | Revises provisions relating to education | Analysis: Taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 4/5 @ 1PM before Sen. Education
    Sen. Committee on Education

      • Background: Eases licensing requirements for certain aspiring teachers.
        More background
  • SB360 | Revises provisions relating to public employment | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Passed Senate 12-9
    Sen. Cmte on Gov’t Affairs

      • Background: Increases number of gov’t-union advocates on Board of Public Employees’ Benefits Program, which will surely be a detriment to taxpayers.
  • SB373 | Provides for collective bargaining by certain state employees | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 4/7 @ 3:30PM Sen. Cmte on Gov’t Affairs
    Senate Committee on Gov’t Affairs

      • Background: Proposes to expand the scope of who is entitled to state-level collective bargaining abilities. NPRI strongly opposes the further expansion of CB in Nevada government. 2020 revealed the perverse influence gov’t unions have on policymaking (e.g., teacher unions). Granting organized labor more influence in Nevada’s policymaking will be detrimental to the taxpayers who fund it. Note: The typical NV gov’t employee earns far more than his private-sector peer. Any increases in pay for government workers will be funded by poorer, regular citizens.
        More background
  • SB386 | Revises provisions relating to certain businesses | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Hearing 4/7 @ 8AM 
    Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor

      • Background: Another (in a long series) of attacks against the property rights of business owners. This bill would require certain businesses to hire back, or at least attempt to do so, those who have been laid off prior to hiring any new employees. Businesses should be able to decide who is best for their open positions!
  • SB395 | Revises provisions governing the funding of capital projects by school districts in certain counties | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Click here for status
    Sen. Goicoechea

      • Background: Would authorize rural counties to increase property taxes for new capital projects.

 

Senate Joint Resolutions:

  • SJR1** (2020, 2nd Special Session) | Proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to revise provisions governing the taxation of minerals extracted in this State | Analysis: Not taxpayer-friendly | Status: Introduced 1/26/21
    Cmte. of the Whole

      • Background: Proposes to amend the state constitution in same way as AJR1 (by eliminating the 5% cap on NET proceeds and implementing a 7.75% tax on GROSS proceeds), but SJR1 differs from AJR1 concerning the lawful purposes for the $540 million/yr in add’l state revenues it would create. Instead of earmarking revenues for either health care and/or education purposes, a la AJR1, this proposal earmarks 50% of revenues to a separate fund for payments to “eligible persons domiciled in this State.” (“Eligible persons” is an undefined term.) Nevada Policy flat-out rejects the argument that mining is undertaxed as an industry. Nevada has a spending problem, not a revenue problem! If passed by a majority vote in both legislative chambers in 2021, the issue will be determined by voters in 2022.More background

 

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Previous Legislative updates: 

04/08/21 — Friday, April 9th,  is a major deadline in the legislative session: Bills that aren’t passed out of their first-house committees are dead. This deadline is threatening to kill a much-needed reform aimed at making it easier for Nevadans to get back to work!

Senate Bill 335 would be a major reform to Nevada’s overly burdensome occupational licensing environment.

In Nevada, licensing rules are promulgated by unaccountable, independent boards, dominated by industry insiders who have a vested interested in discouraging employment and potential competition. This lack of transparency and accountability has led to excessively burdensome licensing rules. (Nevada currently ranks as the second worst state in the nation in this regard. Read more here.)

Governors of both parties have, for years, called for more oversight and accountability to address these problems—and SB335 would do precisely that by moving all of the state’s occupational licensing boards and commissions under the control of a single division within the Department of Business and Industry.

And yet, despite the boost this bill would give to Nevada workers by finally holding licensing boards accountable, this simple bipartisan reform still hasn’t even been heard—meaning that, unless something changes before Friday, this bill will die without lawmakers ever even having a chance to discuss its merits!

Contact the members on the Senate Committee of Commerce and Labor and tell them this bill must move forward!

>>>Click here to contact the committee<<<

04/04/21 — Nevada’s existing forfeiture laws make a mockery of traditional notions of due process, resulting in a well-greased system which overwhelmingly preys on the marginalized and violates the civil liberties of those entangled within its web.

Assembily Bill 425 is intended to fix this broken system, and will be heard by the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Monday, April 5th at 8AM.

AB425 proposes a one-track system of criminal-asset forfeiture regarding property seized from alleged drug crimes, relying exclusively on criminal courts. Under current law, these forfeiture proceedings occur in civil court — meaning accused property owners are not provided w/ taxpayer-funded legal counsel. NPRI has proposed a conceptual amendment which would direct all revenues generated via forfeiture to a county’s (or state) General Fund, so as to eliminate the potential for “policing for profit.”

Click here to view the hearing for AB425 on Monday, April 5th at 8AM!

03/30/21 — The Senate Committee on Revenue and Economic Development is hearing a bill to increase property taxes at a time when Nevadans can least afford it! Senate Bill 10 would disregard the Consumer Price Index when determining the year-to-year cap on increases—resulting in ever-higher property tax burdens as the economy recovers from the economic devastation of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nevadans simply can’t afford the higher property tax bills (and higher rents as a result) after the last year of economic hardship and disruption. Worse still, there is absolutely no need for additional tax revenues at this time. Governor Sisolak has already submitted a balanced budget, local governments are in much better fiscal shape than once feared, and the Feds just gave us more than $4 billion to assist with the COVID-19 void—an amount nearly equal to Nevada’s annual General Fund spending.

Any provision that raises taxes on struggling Nevadans — especially at this time — must be opposed!

Click here to view the hearing on SB10 on Tuesday, March 30th at 1 PM!

03/20/21 — Assembly Bill 276 would strengthen Nevada’s Public Records Act by increasing the penalty imposed on governments that violate the law. Current law entitles requesters who prevail in public records litigation to receive their legal costs from the offending government agency. This bill would increase that fee award to 2X the cost of litigation, including attorney’s fees. The Assembly Committee on Government Affairs will meet on Tuesday, March 21st at 9 AM to hear AB276. Tune in!

Click here to watch the hearing on AB276 on Tuesday March 21st at 9 AM!

3/15/21 —As Nevada government continues to punish small business owners with lockdowns imposed by an unconstitutional, never-ending “state of emergency,” Democrat legislators have come up with a solution: Create yet another government bureaucracy (AB184). Legislators actually interested in helping small business owners can do so by  reducing the onerous licensing and reporting requirements and excessive taxes and regulations that are currently being imposed upon them. Ignoring these issues, while expanding the size of government, is precisely the mindset that led to the current landscape which so unfairly penalizes small business owners.

3/04/21 —At 1:00 pm on March 4, the Senate Committee on Revenue and Economic Development will hear two bills that would allow local governments in Washoe County to raise taxes on residents!

Senate Bill 11 would allow any city in Washoe County to adopt a “Supplemental Governmental Services Fee” on the value of residents’ motor vehicles — which is basically a fancy way of saying it would authorize cities to consider a new vehicle tax to finance pretty much anything government would like. Senate Bill 73 would allow the City of Reno, specifically, to create a committee to recommend new taxes for seemingly boundless purposes for voter approval on the 2022 ballot.

With the state still feeling the impact of the coronavirus shutdowns, now is the worst possible time to permit additional layers of taxation. Contact the Senate Committee on Revenue and Economic Development and tell them to oppose both of these bills! Northern Nevadans can’t afford new taxes after the last year of economic hardship!

Click here to contact the Senate Committee on Revenue and Economic Development

02/23/21 — As Nevada Policy recently reported, the governor’s ongoing use of “emergency powers” to regulate every facet of daily life in Nevada is fundamentally unconstitutional. The fact that such executive power has gone unchecked is just as worrisome. Two proposals have been brought forward by Republicans to at least limit the duration of such emergencies—ensuring the governor’s power to both create and enforce laws does not go unchecked by the legislative branch. However, as the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports, “So far, legislative Democrats, who control both houses, have shown little interest in standing up for their branch of government,” and are refusing to hear the bills! These bills must be given a hearing! As Nevada Policy’s Michael Schaus recently wrote, if lawmakers prove unwilling to limit the governor’s use of emergency powers, “it will be as direct of an attack on our constitutional order as any of the powers assumed by the governor” thus far. Tell legislative leadership that these two proposals (AB93 and SB88) need to be heard!

Click here to contact Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro | Click here to contact Assembly Majority Leader Jason Frierson

02/17/21 — Lawmakers will have a hearing tomorrow, February 18th at 1:30 pm, on a proposed bill to further appease unions at the expense of student learning. Currently, student learning accounts for only 15 percent of a teacher’s evaluation, and the evaluation system is so weak that more than 99 percent of teachers receive a passing grade each year. Assembly Bill 57 would remove student learning entirely from these evaluations for the next three school years. Omitting the educational growth of students entirely from teacher evaluations is yet another union-first policy that ignores the needs of students. The Assembly Committee on Education needs to hear from Nevadans who believe that public education should serve students, rather than unions. Click here to let your lawmakers know how you feel about AB57!

02/15/21 — Lawmakers will have a hearing, February 16th at 1:30 pm, on a proposed bill to inject even more politicized indoctrination into K-12 education. Assembly Bill 19 would remove “government” from the public curriculum, requiring instead “multicultural education.” Such language is a strong indication that politically controversial topics—such as critical race theory—would be a mandated part of all K-12 education. The bill also encroaches on the rights of homeschooling parents by imposing similar mandates upon them. The government has no role, however, in dictating the curriculum of homeschooling families. The Assembly Committee on Education needs to hear from Nevadans who believe this is a gross overpoliticization of education! Click here to let your lawmakers know how you feel about AB19!

02/07/21 — Nevada Policy’s bill tracker is now live! Simply scroll down to view bills by category. Each bill summary includes its impact on taxpayers and Nevada residents, a link to the committee in charge of the bill, and a short description of its intended impact on public policy. Click on the link for more details, and view deeper analysis as well as additional background information on each bill.

01/29/21 — Nevada Policy will soon be launching it’s Legislative Bill Tracker for the 2021 legislative session. Stay tuned!

 

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