Opening remarks
📖 The First Reckoning of the 83rd Nevada Legislative Session 📖
For those of us who live and breathe the Nevada Legislature, we know that this past week-- and today, Tuesday, April 22nd-- marks the first major reckoning of the 83rd Session.
Of the original 1,200 Bill Draft Requests, more than 600 bills remain alive. Most have been amended and now await favorable votes to move forward. The Nevada Independent lays out the legislative landscape—the survivors and the casualties. As we scan the scoreboard of bill sponsors and their focus areas, we can’t help but recall the Guinn Center’s recent talk on “What Makes an Effective Legislator?”
(Speaking of the Guinn Center, the federal government and Nevada’s budget, they have a new report: Federal Footprint: A Snapshot of Federal Funds use in Nevada's State Budget)
Interestingly, some of the most anticipated proposals are still in the wings. The Governor’s flagship bills on education, economic development, and healthcare—as well as Senate Majority Leader Cannizzaro’s key education initiative—have yet to be introduced. With the clock ticking, we wonder when they’ll make their debut. The Economic Forum, which will set the budget parameters for the new biennium, is announced May 1.
Several prominent policy themes have made it past the deadline. Among them:
This session has also taken on a speculative tone, full of what-ifs. From conditional legislation exploring state laws that would address the dissolution of the Department of Education, to Assemblymember Monroe-Moreno’s late-night Ways and Means deep dive into the state’s historical responses to economic downturns and recession forecasts.
Still, what grounds me is the creativity and resilience I see in our communities. Spending time last week with MBA students from my alma mater 🐺, I was inspired by the innovative solutions they’re developing to tackle Nevada’s social challenges. Their ideas blend public policy insight with private-sector tools—and I can't wait to see how our generation rises to meet this moment.
Cheers! 🥂
-Nicole
ICYMI
The winners and losers of the Nevada Legislature's first major deadline
Lombardo names gaming CEO as the next chief regulator
EDUCATION
Nevada, other states sue over Trump administration's sudden halt of pandemic relief aid for schools
Nevada is part of a 16-state coalition, led by New York, suing the Trump administration over its sudden halt of COVID-19 relief funds for schools. The Education Department recently reversed a decision allowing states to use the funds through March 2026, cutting off access to hundreds of millions in aid, including up to $12 million for Nevada. States say delays in hiring and procurement during the pandemic made extensions necessary. The funds were earmarked for pandemic recovery efforts like tutoring, facility upgrades, and support for homeless students. Attorney General Aaron Ford called the move "unlawful" and vowed to protect Nevada’s students. The lawsuit argues the reversal violates federal law and undermines critical school services.
EDUCATION
Bill seeks to ban immigration enforcement in Nevada schools after Trump opened door for it
Nevada lawmakers are considering a bill to ban immigration enforcement activities in schools, following President Trump’s rollback of federal protections. Assemblymember Cecelia González’s AB217 would prohibit immigration officials from accessing school grounds without a warrant and make it a misdemeanor for school employees to share student information with immigration authorities.
ECONOMY
Should NV Energy help pay for fuel costs? Lawmakers say it’d help reduce bill spikes
Lawmakers are considering a bill that would require state regulators to investigate how NV Energy passes fuel costs onto customers — and explore whether the utility should shoulder some of that burden. AB452, backed by Assm. Tracy Brown-May, doesn’t mandate changes but directs regulators to study a “fuel cost sharing” model to protect ratepayers from volatile spikes, like those that drove bills up dramatically in recent years. The idea is to give NV Energy more incentive to keep costs low. The utility opposes the measure, arguing it’s unnecessary and could lead to risky strategies. The bill also includes protections for overbilled customers and gives regulators more time to review utility filings.
Tax credits helped boost Nevada's solar industry. Now it's on Trump's chopping block
Nevada’s booming solar industry — which supports over 8,500 jobs and powers a quarter of the state’s electricity — is at risk as congressional Republicans eye cuts to key tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The 45X manufacturing credit, 48E business investment credit, and 25D residential credit have fueled record growth, slashed costs, and expanded access, especially for low-income households through programs like Solar for All. Industry leaders warn that scaling back these credits could raise energy bills, slow solar adoption, and cost thousands of jobs, while even some Republicans, including Rep. Mark Amodei, caution that cuts could hurt energy affordability and manufacturing momentum in their districts.
ENVIRONMENT
Talks begin in Nevada Legislature about NV Energy's wildfire liability
Lawmakers are quietly holding early talks about NV Energy’s potential liability for wildfires sparked by its equipment. While details are still emerging, sources say the discussions mirror efforts in other Western states where NV Energy’s parent company, Berkshire Hathaway, has pushed to limit utility liability through legislation. Similar models in Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho involve utility-backed wildfire funds or protections if companies follow mitigation plans. NV Energy recently proposed a $500 million self-insurance plan, funded by ratepayers, which is still pending approval. The behind-the-scenes talks could shape how Nevada handles future wildfire risks and utility accountability.
HEALTHCARE
Nevada senator demands answers after DOGE-led cuts to state health care grants
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto is demanding answers after federal grants supporting mental health and immunization programs in Nevada were abruptly cut, a move driven by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., she warned the cuts could harm vulnerable communities and disrupt vital services. Nearly 50 jobs were lost, and Cortez Masto argued the funding, originally tied to pandemic relief, was still essential for Nevada’s struggling health infrastructure. She urged the department to explain the decision and ensure continued support for critical care programs.
LEGISLATURE
Efforts to overhaul Nevada's boards and commissions faces significant test in Legislature
SB78, a bill backed by Gov. Joe Lombardo and the Department of Business and Industry, would consolidate 20 occupational licensing boards into six larger entities and grant B&I expanded oversight powers. Proponents argue the bill could save up to $15 million annually and streamline accountability, calling the current system a “de facto fourth branch of government” with minimal oversight. The proposal has drawn significant opposition from board leaders and Democratic lawmakers, who worry the consolidation could dilute professional standards, reduce representation, and create inefficiencies. Critics say there’s been a lack of meaningful outreach and that merging boards with vastly different regulations and ethics codes could do more harm than good. While some groups, including the Vegas Chamber and ACLU of Nevada, support the bill, its path forward is uncertain — only one Democrat voted to keep it alive in committee.