Opening remarks
Pies, Ides and Paddy's
It has been quite an eventful week at the Legislature. Children's Week kicked off on Monday, pies in all shapes and forms were enjoyed throughout the building Tuesday, the Ides of March came and went where absolutely nothing bad happened, March Madness brackets are in full swing, and tomorrow is the last Friday lawmakers have to introduce their bills this Session before the deadline on Monday, March 20, so I imagine there will be plenty of drinking outside the usual St. Paddy's festivities.
After the 20th, the Legislature will become even busier! The next deadline is March 27, the last day for Committees and other requesters to submit their bills for this Session. After the 27th, nearly all of the bills for this Session will have been introduced, though there are exceptions to every rule. Budget bills are typically introduced toward the end of Session and have different deadlines. To read more on the official rules of the Senate and Assembly for legislative measures, click here.
Fun fact: The U.S. Bowling Conference Open Championship, currently hosting its 199th edition of the event in Reno at the National Bowling Stadium, lasts 143 days, which is 23 days longer than Nevada's legislative sessions. So if any state lawmaker would like to be a bowling champion in the future, perhaps plan to compete in even-numbered years.
-Zoë
Important Dates
| Last Day for Bill Introductions | March 27 |
| First House Passage Deadline | April 25 |
| Second House Passage Deadline | May 26 |
| Last Day of the 82nd Session (sine die) | June 5 |
ICYMI
Washoe County Commission Chair Vaughn Hartung resigns
DCCC and NRCC announce key House races for 2024, both include Nevada
Whitmer ousted as Monroe-Moreno wins control of Nevada Democratic Party
#NVLEG
In State of the Judiciary, Chief Justice Stiglich pushes for judicial budget reforms
Why did Nevada lawmakers delete a committee video?
Freshman Orientation: Assemblyman Ken Gray supports smaller government
CANNABIS
Vegas council approves cannabis consumption lounge ordinance, keeps distance requirements
Las Vegas city officials made two changes before approving the consumption lounge ordinance during a meeting on Wednesday, with the city potentially issuing business licenses as soon as June.
The Council maintained the most contested portion of its ordinance governing cannabis consumption lounges — a requirement that lounges are at least 1,000 feet apart, although city leaders will be allowed to waive it with a city council vote.
EDUCATION
Nevada Childcare Fund
This week is Children's Week at the Nevada Legislature, a weeklong event focused on raising awareness of children’s policy issues related to education, children’s mental and physical health and safety issues. It also marked the kick-off event for the Nevada Childcare Fund, a program created by the Nevada Division of Health and Human Services and The Children’s Cabinet to help parents and childcare providers gain access to funding and other resources to make childcare easier and more affordable. Learn more at the link above.
Bill to change Nevada State College to Nevada State University introduced
Yesterday, the Senate introduced SB273, a bill sponsored by a handful of legislators that proposes to change the name of Nevada State College to Nevada State University. This bill introduction follows last week's 9-4 vote by the Board of Regents that kicked off the official name change process.
ENERGY
Regulators approve NV Energy gas plant, despite criticism from clean energy groups
The decision by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada will give the state’s largest energy provider a green light to spend about $350 million to build a new natural gas-fired power plant in Southern Nevada and connect what is known as a “peaking” power plant because it is only turned on when demand for electricity peaks.
ENVIRONMENT
Henderson City Council cuts water use for golf courses, lowers water rates
Last week, the Henderson City Council voted unanimously to pass an ordinance that amends the city's municipal code to reduce how much water golf courses are allowed to use from 6.3 acre-feet per year for each irrigated acre to 4 acre-feet per year. The changes will apply to local golf courses starting Jan. 1, 2024.
The reduced water allotment applies to all water used to irrigate golf courses, as well as on-site lakes, ponds, reservoirs and any irrigated outdoor areas on property that are landscaped and not taken up by a buildings, walkways, roads, pavement or parking lots, according to the ordinance.
ABB220: Las Vegas water agency seeks power to limit residential use
While some agencies across the U.S. West tie increased water use to increased cost, Nevada could be the first to give a water agency — the Southern Nevada Water Authority — the power to restrict what comes out of residents’ taps in state statute to about 30,000 gallons above the average use. It’s aimed mostly at the top 10% of water users that use 40% of the water in the residential sector, spokesperson Bronson Mack said.
“It’s a worst case scenario plan,” said the bill’s sponsor, Democratic Assemblyman Howard Watts of Las Vegas, of the residential limit. “It makes sure that we prioritize the must-haves for a home. Your drinking water, your basic health and safety needs.”
HEALTH CARE
Senate Majority Leader to Introduce Constitutional Amendment to Protect Abortion Rights, Reproductive Freedom
Nevada Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro announced Thursday she will introduce a constitutional amendment ensuring access to abortions. Cannizzaro also says her proposal would include protections for access to birth control, prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, vasectomy and tubal ligation, miscarriage management, and infertility care.
If it passes during the 2023 and 2025 legislative sessions, the amendment would appear on the 2026 general election ballot.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Las Vegas tourism board to consider selling Strip land for $125 million
This Tuesday, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority will consider selling 10 acres of land on the north end of the Strip for $125 million. The 10 acres are located at the southeast corner of Las Vegas and Elvis Presley boulevards, which was originally part of the Riviera's footprint. 65SLVB LLC is listed as the buyer, led by developers Brett Torino and Paul Kanavos. According to the tourism board's agenda, the LVCVA plans on using proceeds from the sale on its Convention Center renovation project. The sale must close by Sept. 11 this year.
2023 Legislative Session Resources
Click here to view a list of Bills of the 2023 Legislative Session.
Click here to view the list of upcoming committee meetings.
Click here to view the 120-Day Legislative Calendar.
Opening remarks
Inclement Weather Day (AKA Snow Day for Adults)
Northern Nevada has been facing some pretty intense weather lately; the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the area until 4pm Wednesday. Winter storms are nothing new to the region, though this most recent one has been rolling in with a vengeance. Weather conditions have been so bad that the Nevada Legislature closed the building and canceled all committee meetings last Friday and today and the Governor has announced that all state offices in Northern Nevada will be closed today.
What do these closures mean? Besides rescheduling meetings and bill hearings, the reverberations are minimal given we are still early in the Session - Legislators still have time to introduce their Bills and there are no upcoming committee deadlines. Should inclement weather continue to cause closures further in the Session... well let's not think about that right now.
-Zoë
Important Dates
| Last Day for Bill Introductions | March 27 |
| First House Passage Deadline | April 25 |
| Second House Passage Deadline | May 26 |
| Last Day of the 82nd Session (sine die) | June 5 |
ICYMI
Commissioner says GPS tracker placed on his car, joins Reno mayor to learn who did it
Nevada board to vote on $330M in additional Tesla tax breaks
#NVLEG
Bid to rid state constitution of slavery moves to ballot
Nevada voters will decide whether to get rid of slavery and involuntary servitude as a form of criminal punishment from the state constitution on the 2024 ballot, part of a growing push among some states to scrub outdated, century-old language that has stayed on the books.
The Nevada Senate unanimously passed the joint resolution on Feb. 23 after the Assembly took similar steps last week. The proposed amendment first passed the Nevada Legislature in 2021, though ballot measures must survive two consecutive sessions before going to a vote of the people.
Nevada Democratic statewide officials propose bills on elections, fentanyl and ‘baby bonds’
Three statewide elected officials in Nevada are proposing bills about election workers, criminalizing opioids, and establishing financial bonds for babies. They spoke with reporters on Thursday about their goals for the 2023 Nevada Legislative Session.
CANNABIS
‘Amsterdam of the West?’: City not budging on pot lounge regulations
A week before a possible vote on rules for upcoming cannabis consumption lounges, the city of Las Vegas had not budged on a proposed 1,000-foot separation requirement between such establishments, a regulation applicants say could hamper turning the downtown area into the “Amsterdam of the West.”
If Las Vegas were to approve the regulations, licenses for the 15 prospective provisional Nevada license holders who intend to open a location within city limits could start being issued as early as June. Clark County, the only other area municipality that opted into allowing the lounges, already established regulations for the up to 21 lounges it could allow.
EDUCATION
Governor Joe Lombardo Signs Senate Bill 124, Urges Support for Charter School Transportation Funding
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has signed a bill transferring money to education in the state. Senate Bill 124 ends a mining tax prepayment in the current fiscal year, rather than the first year of the next biennium.
The move will transfer roughly $70 million from the General Fund in Fiscal Year 2023 to the State Education Fund in Fiscal Year 2024.
“Due to our budgetary flexibility, it makes sense to end the mining tax prepayment in the current fiscal year,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “This new deposit of $70 million in the State Education Fund, however, is currently unbudgeted. I believe we should follow the recommendation of the Commission on School Funding and begin offering state-supported transportation to Nevada’s charter school students. I plan to work with the Legislature to utilize a portion of these new funds to make that a reality.”
ENERGY
Nevada Emerges as Leader in U.S. Energy and Security
The economic strategy released today by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), Realizing Nevada’s Electric, Innovative, and Connected Future: 5-Year Comprehensive Economic Strategy, finds that the State’s quickly growing clean tech industry, innovations, and investments have positioned Nevada to lead the U.S. in strengthening critical supply chains and securing energy independence.
“Nevada’s natural resources, people, reasonable cost of living and doing business, and proximity to west coast tech-hubs have enabled innovation to flourish in the State,” said Tom Burns, GOED Executive Director. “This new strategy will be critical to the continued growth of our economy.”
ENVIRONMENT
US judge won't block huge lithium mine on Nevada-Oregon line
U.S. District Judge Miranda Du in Reno denied the opponents' request Friday for an emergency injunction to prohibit work at the largest known lithium deposit in the nation until the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals can hear their latest appeal. Her ruling clears the way for Lithium Nevada to begin construction as early as next week at the mine they say would speed production of raw materials for electric vehicle batteries critical to combatting climate change.
The conflict is driven largely by what Du described Friday as “tension” between environmental and economic trade-offs associated with efforts to speed the transition from fossil fuels emitting greenhouse gases to cleaner, renewable energy sources. “And there is, if nothing else, a tension between the macro environmental benefit that could result from the project and the micro (relatively speaking) environmental harm that will likely flow from" allowing the mine to go forward, she said. “This court does not resolve that tension here.”
HEALTH CARE
Nevada needs more nurses and more physicians. But what will it take to make it happen?
Since the pandemic took hold, health care professionals have said the shortage has reached dire levels. One analysis from UNR’s Nevada Health Workforce Research Center found Nevada would need more than 4,000 new registered nurses to meet the national RN-to-population average and that roughly two out of every three Nevadans live in an area with a shortage of primary health care providers.
In addition to nursing shortages, the state has been wracked by increasingly acute shortages of physicians and specialists, especially in areas such as neurology, psychiatry and cardiology. Though Nevada has expanded its medical student capacity over the last decade, medical school administrators told The Nevada Independent that simply graduating additional students from Nevada’s medical schools widens only one end of the state’s physician pipeline, pouring yet more students toward the same bottleneck: residencies.
Nearly 450,000 Nevadans could lose their no-cost Medicaid health coverage this year as pandemic emergency provisions wind down, according to state officials. Following a three-year grace period during the worst of COVID-19, Medicaid recipients will be required to reapply for benefits beginning April 1.
In Nevada, the number of Medicaid recipients swelled by 40 percent during the pandemic under federal emergency provisions that kept states from removing anyone from the rolls, increasing from 671,000 people to 938,000 over three years. Ryan High, executive director of the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, estimates that 100,000 or more Nevadans might no longer qualify for the no-cost program and that some would turn to the exchange for coverage.
INFRASTRUCTURE
FAA awards $31 million to Harry Reid International Airport to improve baggage claim
Today, Senator Jacky Rosen's office announced that the Federal Aviation Administration will give $31 million to Harry Reid International Airport to upgrade Terminals 1 and 3. The funding is specifically targeted at upgrading the two terminals’ baggage handling system. “The travel and tourism industries are key to the success of Nevada’s economy,” Rosen said in a statement. “The improvements made possible through this funding that I secured for Harry Reid International Airport will make long-overdue improvements to modernize the airport, replace aging and outdated infrastructure, and improve traveler experience.”
2023 Legislative Session Resources
Click here to view a list of Bills of the 2023 Legislative Session.
Click here to view the list of upcoming committee meetings.
Click here to view the 120-Day Legislative Calendar.
Opening remarks
Hello from Carson City!
It’s been a fun and busy first twelve days of the 82nd Session. We are still in the beginning stages of the Session where a lot of issues have been discussed but what will become an actual piece of legislation is still nebulous. Though the hallmark policies that will define this Session are still taking shape, I thought I’d share some interesting statistics about the Session so far:
63 legislators, many of them are brand new.
We maintained our status as the first legislature in the nation that has a majority of women, Republican and Democrat combined.
There are 781 registered lobbyists, 457 of those being “paid.” That averages out to 12.39 lobbyists per legislator.
To date, 972 Bill Draft Requests (BDR’s) have been submitted.
Deadlines
The deadline has passed for legislators to reserve their BDRs.
The next deadline we have is those bills getting introduced as, well, bills. We have until March 20 to make that happen, or not happen.
The surviving bills must be heard, amended and passed out of committee by April 14th.
Passed out of the House of Origin by March 25th. That’s the big one.
Then the process starts all over again.
Bills will be amended; a lot of bills will die.
Important Dates
| Last Day for Bill Introductions | March 27 |
| First House Passage Deadline | April 25 |
| Second House Passage Deadline | May 26 |
| Last Day of the 82nd Session (sine die) | June 5 |
ICYMI
Oakland A’s tap Nevada legislative lobbying firms as Vegas relocation efforts intensify
Poll: Plurality of Nevada voters approve of Lombardo, majority support voter ID
State's Democratic officers outline top priorities
Legislature’s Democrats take aim at state party leader as political battle escalates
#NVLEG
The Nevada Independent has a fantastic one-stop-shop resource webpage for the Nevada Legislature. Check it out.
Learn more about our newest legislators with the Nevada Independent's Freshman Orientation series. The latest profile is on Assemblyman Rich DeLong.
Snaps and claps for Tabitha Mueller and Kristyn Leonerd for putting together this comprehensive Indy Resource Guide: Participating in the legislative session.
KUNR has a new podcast covering the Legislature called Purple Politics Nevada, created by Lucia Starbuck! There is a new episode every Friday- listen to her latest episode about teacher pay and class sizes here.
ECONOMY
Las Vegas airport reports record passenger volume in 2022
Harry Reid International Airport handled a record 52.7 million passengers in 2022, up more than 2% from the previous record set in 2019, according to a year-end report made public Feb. 6.
“We are no longer talking about an air travel recovery,” Rosemary Vassiliadis, airport chief and Clark County Director of Aviation, said in a statement. “The trajectory of Las Vegas air travel throughout 2022 was nothing short of remarkable.”
Nevada's rainy-day fund now over $900 million, highest balance in history
Nevada's rainy-day fund has now surpassed $900 million, the highest balance in its history and more than double what it was in early 2020, according to the state treasurer's office. The balance gained $516 million after a transfer from the state's general fund last week, Treasurer Zach Conine announced Thursday.
EDUCATION
Jara seeks $270 million to push Nevada to ‘optimum’ school funding
School leaders took their requests to the 2023 Nevada Legislature in Carson City this week, presenting a request for an increase of $270.8 million in per-pupil funding. The money is for fiscal year 2024, and keeps the Nevada on track for a 10-year incremental increase to “optimal” funding — a play to push funding past efforts that leaders say have been aiming too low.
ENVIRONMENT
2023 could be 'session of water bills' in the Legislature
This “is going to be the session of water bills” — or so Sen. Pete Goicoechea (R-Eureka) predicted at a conference in Reno last week. “Again, we’re talking 23 bills,” he added. “There’ll be 30 or 40 different twists in this.” Most of the bills are proposals and have not been formally introduced.
The legislation tackles developing issues across the state: Managing Humboldt River where groundwater pumping is connected to the flows of the river; How to share water in the Lower White River Flow System, a collection of groundwater basins outside of Las Vegas; Reducing use in aquifers where there are more rights to water than there is water to go around.
ENERGY
Redwood Materials wins $2 billion loan from Energy Dept.
Redwood Materials, a Nevada company that recycles batteries for electric vehicles and was founded by Tesla's former chief technology officer, has won a $2 billion green energy loan from the Biden administration. The company secured the conditional loan from the Energy Department's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program, announced Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm this Thursday to dozens of employees at Redwood's facility in Nevada with Gov. Joe Lombardo.
HEALTH CARE
Lawmakers mull loan forgiveness for mental health professionals
Under a bill heard in the Assembly Education Committee on Thursday, an already-existing loan forgiveness program would be expanded to include mental health professionals who commit to practicing in the state for two years in a hospital, outpatient facility, as a faculty member training behavioral health practitioners, or as a provider in a K-12 public school. “We need an infusion of behavioral health professionals now,” said Julia Ratti, the board chair of the Washoe County Regional Behavior Health Policy Board and former state senator.
Nevada Attorney General Joins Multistate Coalition in Support of Medication Abortion at CVS, Walgreens Stores
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford announced yesterday that the AG's office has joined a multistate coalition of 23 attorneys general in support of abortion pills at CVS and Walgreens stores. The other states include California, Oregon, Maine, North Carolina and Vermont. “In the current climate, when there is a concentrated effort to roll back the rights we have been accustomed to for generations, we welcome this decision from CVS and Walgreens,” Ford said.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Senator Cortez Masto says Nevada will receive over $3.5 million to help road safety
U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced that Southern Nevada will receive $3,539,000 through the Safe Streets and Roads for All program to support projects that will improve road safety and prevent roadway deaths across the Las Vegas valley. Senator Cortez Masto funded this program through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
2023 Legislative Session Resources
Click here to view a list of Bills of the 2023 Legislative Session.
Click here to view the list of upcoming committee meetings.
Click here to view the 120-Day Legislative Calendar.
Opening remarks
Welcome to 2023!
We are all very excited for the beginning of the 2023 Nevada Legislative Session on Monday, February 6. The office will be ready, systems are in place, and in the words of the late Mills Lane, “Let’s get it on.”
Governor Lombardo laid out his budget and his vision during his State of the State Adress on January 23rd.
If you have an hour, this is must watch TV
But we’ve made it easy to review - read the written transcript here.
For an overview of the executive budget in an easy-to-read-format, click here.
The State of the State Address is an important kick off to the Legislature. Two days after the speech, meetings for the Legislative Commission’s Budget Subcommittee started (session before The Session) where they hear from Department heads about their agency budgets. No decisions are made during this time - they’re not in Session but the legislators that will decide the budget are getting a peek at what’s to come.
-Tom
Important Dates
| First Day of the 2023 Legislative Session begins | February 6, 2023 |
until the 82nd Nevada Legislative Session begins.
ICYMI
Watch a replay of Jon Ralston interview Governor Lombardo about his SOTS
Democratic Response to the Governor's State of the State Address
Freshman Legislator Orientation series by the Nevada Independent
New dining options at the Legislative Building
ECONOMY
Tesla announces new $3.5B facility east of Sparks to build all-electric semi trucks
This week, Tesla announced plans to build a new $3.5 billion advanced manufacturing facility east of Sparks to build the company's all-electric semi trucks. The facility will be built at the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center and is expected to create 3,000 jobs.
EDAWN State of the Economy: National recession likely, but northern Nevada ready to weather storm
Local economic experts said although a national recession is likely in 2023, northern Nevada will weather the storm better than other regions because of its more diversified economy. "We (won't) see many job losses associated with this recession, unlike prior recessions, because our manufacturing workforce will be working, our technology workforce will be working," said EDAWN CEO and President Mike Kazmierski.
ENVIRONMENT
Six states release consensus framework for Colorado River cuts — with California absent
Earlier this week, six of the seven U.S. states that rely on the Colorado River released a framework that outlines a potential strategy for federal water regulators tasked with making unprecedented cuts on an overused watershed that serves about 40 million people across the Southwest.
Notably, the plan failed to gain the support of California, seen as critical to making meaningful cutbacks, as the state with the largest apportionment of the river and priority legal entitlements to use water. And it’s unclear how federal officials will regard a plan that leaves out a key state. John Entsminger, who leads the Southern Nevada Water Authority, said in a statement Monday that while the goal remains a seven-state deal, the six-state plan was a “positive step forward.”
In the coming weeks, federal water officials will review the plan and could incorporate parts of it in an environmental review process to evaluate the short-term cuts to annual water use. The federal government will likely announce a regulatory action later this year.
General Motors conditionally investing $650M in Thacker Pass
General Motors Co. has conditionally agreed to invest $650 million in Lithium Americas Corp. in a deal that will give GM exclusive access to the first phase of a mine planned near the Nevada-Oregon line with the largest known source of lithium in the U.S. The equity investment the companies announced jointly on Tuesday is contingent on the Thacker Pass project clearing the final environmental and legal challenges it faces in federal court in Reno, where conservationists and tribal leaders are suing to block it.
GAMING
Nevada casinos close out 2022 with record gaming revenue figures
Fueled by a single-month record for the Strip in December, Nevada finished off 2022 with more than $14.8 billion in gaming revenue, blowing past 2021’s $13.4 billion by 10.5 percent, the state’s Gaming Control Board announced earlier this week. “The Strip accounted for the majority of the statewide increase in December,” said control board senior economic analyst Michael Lawton. “The state’s combined markets outside of the Strip only increased by 0.2 percent, or $914,000 compared to December 2021.”
Lombardo names ex-judge George Assad to seat on the Gaming Control Board
Former Las Vegas judge George Assad, 71, who was a Las Vegas Municipal Court judge from 2002 until 2011, will have a four-year term as a member of the board that directs the statewide agency charged with regulating and enforcing laws governing Nevada’s largest industry.
His appointment fills out the three-person board. Assad has been a commissioner with the Nevada Transportation Authority for more than a decade. The agency oversees the state’s taxicab companies, limousine services and charter transportation industry. He replaces control board member Philip Katsaros, who did not seek reappointment to his board position.
HEALTH CARE
Nearly 100,000 Nevadans signed up for health insurance this year
Nevada Health Link has announced that nearly 100,000 Nevadans have enrolled in qualified, affordable health insurance plans during this year’s Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which ran from November 1, 2022, through January 15, 2023.
Out of those who enrolled, about 18,000 were new enrollees, meaning they were not previously enrolled in a plan on the marketplace.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Senator Cortez Masto says Nevada will receive over $3.5 million to help road safety
U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced that Southern Nevada will receive $3,539,000 through the Safe Streets and Roads for All program to support projects that will improve road safety and prevent roadway deaths across the Las Vegas valley. Senator Cortez Masto funded this program through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
2023 Legislative Session Resources
Click here to view a list of Bills for the upcoming 2023 Legislative Session.
Click here to view the list of Bill Draft Requests (BDRs) for the upcoming 2023 Legislative Session.
Click here to view the list of Senate and Assembly Committees.
Opening remarks
Preparing for a new year, a new Governor and the upcoming 2023 Legislative Session.
There is A LOT of stuff going on during this already busy holiday season.
Governor-Elect Joe Lombardo and his team are busy preparing and planning the transition of power in January. There is a lot to do in a short amount of time, but with naming Ben Kieckhefer as his Chief of Staff and selecting experienced leaders to his transition team, the Governor-Elect has set himself up for success. We look forward to celebrating with the Governor-Elect and his entire team at their Gubernatorial Inauguration Ball in January!
With the first day of the 82nd Session just two months away, we are starting to see how the Session will shape up: the Assembly has announced their Committee Chairs, the Senate has announced full Committee appointments, and the deadline to submit BDRs for legislators is this Saturday. Also, in stark contrast to 2021, the social events calendar is quickly filling up. Though there is a lot going on, we are so excited for February!
This will be our last newsletter of the year. (It always goes by so fast.) We’d really appreciate your feedback on how we can improve it for our readers. If you have any ideas or suggestion, please feel free to send me an email!
Also, if you still have some gift shopping to do, why not gift your friends and family something that celebrates Nevada. Travel Nevada has provided this great Nevada Pride Shopping Guide to get you started.
Have a wonderful rest of your year and keep an eye out in your inbox for our newsletter in January.
Important Dates
| First Day of the 2023 Legislative Session begins | February 6, 2023 |
until the 82nd Nevada Legislative Session begins.
ICYMI
Asm. Rochelle Nguyen to be appointed to fill Sen. Chris Brooks’ vacancy
Joe Lombardo announces Chairs of Transition Team Working Committees
Jill Tolles named Guinn Center Executive Director
ECONOMY
Economic Forum: Lombardo, lawmakers will have $11.4 billion for two-year budget
Gov.-elect Joe Lombardo and Nevada lawmakers will have $11.4 billion in projected tax revenues to construct the next two-year general fund budget covering July 2023-June 2025, marking a nearly $2.3 billion increase over the current two-year budget set in 2021.
The Economic Forum projects a 2.9% increase in state tax revenues over the next two years, beginning July 2023. The major increase in the size of the budget was driven by soaring collections from sales and gaming taxes, which have boomed amid an ongoing period of high inflation and relatively strong consumer spending.
Nevada announces winners of provisional cannabis lounge licenses
This week, the Cannabis Compliance Board awarded 20 entities with “prospective” independent consumption lounges, including 10 “social equity” applicants. These applicants were chosen through a random selection process out of a pool of 80 submitters.
EDUCATION
Washoe school board appoints new trustee to serve District E
The Washoe County School Board has appointed Alex Woodley as the next trustee for District E, which covers the northwest section of Reno and parts of Lemmon and Panther Valleys. Woodley was sworn into office right after the votes were tallied Tuesday at a special board meeting. Woodley emerged as the favorite after the six trustees participated in a ranked-choice voting-like system.
Woodley is replacing former Board President Angie Taylor, who was recently elected to the Nevada Assembly. Woodley will serve out the remainder of Taylor’s term, which ends Jan. 5, 2025.
ENVIRONMENT
Biden pledges to designate Avi Kwa Ame monument in Nevada honoring tribes
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced that he would designate the Avi Kwa Ame monument through a proclamation.
The proposed Avi Kwa Ame National Monument will protect sacred land and connect sensitive desert landscapes, spanning from the Mojave National Preserve in California to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Avi Kwa Ame, or Spirit Mountain, is considered a spiritual center and a sacred area for 10 Yuman-speaking tribes, in addition to the Hopi and Chemehuevi Paiute.
GAMING
California developer plans to build a casino resort near Reno convention center
San Diego-based Elevation Entertainment submitted plans to the City of Reno for a 200-room hotel-casino to be constructed on a long-touted but still empty 20-acre site near the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, at the intersection of South Virginia Street and Kietzke Lane.
The project carries the working title of Firecreek Crossing Resort-Casino, which incorporates the name of the neighboring retail and entertainment complex. The developer said the project’s cost is being determined. The plans include a 65,000-square-foot casino, restaurants and an outdoor pool deck atop the hotel tower. They hope the city can approve the project by next summer, with construction beginning in 12 – 18 months.
Vici To Take Full Ownership of MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay Real Estate in Deal Valued at $5.5 Billion
Another change in ownership on the Las Vegas Strip. Vici Properties is set to become full owner of the MGM Grand Las Vegas and Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino real estate, following its acquisition of the remaining interest in the properties from Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust.
Gaming real estate investment trust Vici currently holds 50.1% interest in the joint venture, which it shares with BREIT, that owns the MGM Grand Las Vegas and Mandalay Bay properties. Through this deal, Vici will acquire BREIT's 49.9% interest in the joint venture for a cash consideration of roughly $1.27 billion. It also will assume Blackstone's pro-rata share of existing property debt. The deal values the properties at $5.5 billion and represents another step in the ownership of these Las Vegas Strip properties.
HEALTH CARE
Nevada to receive over $35 million after Opioid Litigation Settlements
Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced that Nevada entered two additional opioid litigation settlements, bringing in tens of millions of dollars to assist with abating the opioid crisis in the state. Nevada will receive $32.2 million from a multistate settlement with Walmart and $1.5 million from a settlement – not negotiated as part of a multistate deal – with American Drug Stores. In addition, the Mallinckrodt bankruptcy plan has been finalized, resulting in $1.8 million for Nevada.
HOUSING
State of Nevada completes awards for $500 million Home Means Nevada initiative
This week, Governor Sisolak and the Nevada Housing Division announced the final awards for the $500 million Home Means Nevada affordable housing initiative, completing the singe-largest investment into affordable housing seen by the state.
This program was initially launched in April. The full is of awardees can be viewed at the link above.
2023 Legislative Session Resources
Click here to view a list of Bills for the upcoming 2023 Legislative Session.
Click here to view the list of Bill Draft Requests (BDRs) for the upcoming 2023 Legislative Session.
Click here to view the list of Senate and Assembly Committees.
Opening remarks
The 2022 Mid-Term General Election has been decided even though election officials in each Nevada county continue to finalize the outcome. Mail ballots have been counted, uncertain ballots have been “cured” and the final canvass will be delivered to each County Commission for certification.
Yes, it took a long time to count the ballots and people were anxious to get the results, but the prolonged announcement was due to process, not politics. For example, it took time to count every vote that was mailed or dropped off at election centers. If a signature on a mail-in ballot was questionable, the voter was notified, and the ballot needed to be “cured” by the voter.
I suspect the Nevada Legislature will try and address these issues when they convene in February 2023.
Election Outcome
Nevada was again the focus of a lot of national attention, especially the race for the US Senate. Incumbent Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto faced a difficult challenge from former NV Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate, Adam Laxalt. Majority control of the US Senate once again hinged on the outcome of the race. Catherine Cortez Masto was declared the winner and Adam Laxalt conceded on November 15, 2022.
The race for Governor was hotly contested between Incumbent Democrat Steve Sisolak and Republican Sheriff from Clark County, Joe Lombardo. The Nevada electorate is known to split their ballot, and this was evidenced by Joe Lombardo winning the contest over the incumbent by nearly 15,000 votes.
To view the rest of the 2022 election results, visit our updated 2022 Election Candidate List.
All 17 counties will canvass their votes on Friday, November 17, a statutorily required process to declare, examine, and certify the election results.
To learn more about canvassing the vote in Nevada, check out this handy dandy infographic the Legislative Counsel Bureau Research Division has provided.
POST-ELECTION STORIES
Laxalt Concedes to Cortez Masto: "Any challenge would not alter the outcome."
All 3 ballot questions approved by Nevada voters
Governor-Elect Lombardo Announces Transition Team
Lombardo pledges to be education governor
Nevada’s three vulnerable House Democrats survive re-election challenges
2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Democrats will maintain control of both houses in the Nevada Legislature:
Senate: 13 Democrats, 8 Republicans
Assembly: 28 Democrats (2/3rds Super Majority), 14 Republicans
Assembly Speaker Pro-Tem, Steve Yeager, is expected to take the helm as Speaker of the Assembly. The Senate will continue to be led by Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro. Senator Heidi Seevers Gansert has been chosen as Minority Leader. PK O'Neil has been chosen as the Assembly Minority Leader.
Further reading:
Democrats expected to retain control of Legislature, remain short of supermajority
After election, new faces make up bulk of 2023 legislative leadership
Opening remarks
Now we wait.
Being a Battle Ground State is exciting. Being one of the last states to count, cure and report results is not.
Registrars in the urban counties (Washoe and Clark) have reported that tens of thousands of ballots that were dropped off at voting locations remain to be counted. That’s frustrating but I give our Registrars, their staff and the many, many volunteers a lot of credit for working long hours to make sure that the outcome is credible, that EVERY vote matters and must be counted. We don't expect results for several key races, like U.S. Senate and Governor, to be known until Saturday.
The shift we will see in the next couple of days will make many people very suspicious of the outcome. Mail and drop off ballots tend to favor Democrats and we’re already seeing that trend as the lead Republicans have eroding.
The world is watching the Silver State very closely. National media organizations get very excited as new numbers are reported. The power balance of the US Senate is at stake. As Jon Ralston, CEO of the Nevada Independent and a regular on MSNBC and other national news channels likes to say, “We Matter.”
We do matter and we need to be patient so that we can have confidence in the outcome regardless of who wins and loses.
The Nevada Secretary of State's office has regular updates, but we are keeping a closer eye on the individual county websites, especially Clark and Washoe. You can find links to all of them below.
Or, watch the national news. They’re watching us. 👀
ELECTION RESULTS
Nevada Secretary of State (for cumulative totals and county by county breakdowns)
PROJECTED WINNERS
The Nevada Independent has projected several winners up and down the ballot. Notably Aaron Ford (D) is anticipated to prevail over Sigal Chattah (R) and win reelection to the Attorney General's office.
Click here for the complete list of projected winners.
Opening remarks
The best poll is about to occur.
For the past several months, there have been countless polls doing their best to predict the outcome of this year's election. Well now the time has come for the last, most definitive poll: election night. We'll see just how "purple" Nevadans are feeling this election, as there are some predictions we will elect a split ticket, a growing possibility as the active Non-partisan registered voter share is now, albeit narrowly, larger than registered Republicans in the state.
As I've said last week, this will be an unprecedented, unpredictable election. We expect some races to be called election night, but the general mantra of the firm is "election night is not results night." Remember, the polls don't close until the last voter standing in line (given they reached their polling place before the 7 p.m. cutoff) casts their ballot. That line could take hours. In addition, all mail ballots postmarked by November 8 will need to be counted, and that could take several days.
Regardless of when the official general election results are posted (which you can find links to on our 2022 Election page), Tom Clark Solutions will keep you updated of all results and decisions.
Important Dates
| General Early Voting | October 22 – November 4 |
| General Election | Tuesday November 8, 2022 |
until the General Election.
ICYMI
Reno City Council appoints Miguel Martinez to open Ward 3 seat
The sleeper county that could decide the Senate (Spoiler: It’s Washoe County.)
Washoe County interim registrar reflects on the state of election officials as Election Day approaches
Fed approves 0.75-point hike to take rates to highest since 2008
ECONOMY
Up to 40 cannabis consumption lounges coming to Nevada
This week, the Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB) announced it received 100 completed state licensing applications during the 10-day application window earlier this month.
The CCB will issue two types of cannabis consumption lounge licenses: retail (attached/immediately adjacent to a cannabis-retail store) and independent. Upon receiving final inspection, licensure, and approval by the Board, retail cannabis consumption lounges
may open.
Per state law, the CCB may issue 20 independent cannabis consumption lounge licenses, half of which are designated for social equity applicants. The CCB anticipates conducting two drawings via a random number selector in early December to determine the issuance of independent cannabis consumption lounge licenses for non-social equity and social equity applicants.
The first lounges are anticipated to be open early 2023.
EDUCATION
About one-third of federal COVID relief funds for Clark County schools spent or committed
The Clark County School District is about a third of the way through spending or committing its nearly $778 million in federal pandemic relief assistance.
During a board meeting last Thursday, district officials presented an annual report on use of the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Act (ARP ESSER III) funding it was awarded last year.
The Clark County School District is further along in spending its ESSER III funding than the Washoe County School District, the state’s second-largest school district, according to data collected by Edunomics, an education finance group at Georgetown University. But other smaller Nevada school districts such as ones in Elko, Lander and Storey counties, which received less ESSER III funds than Clark, have already spent more than half of their money.
GAMING
Wynn shares jump after Golden Nugget owner Tilman Fertitta buys a 6.1 percent stake
Texas billionaire Tilman Fertitta, who owns the Golden Nugget casinos, is now the second-largest individual shareholder in Wynn Resorts after acquiring more than 6.9 million shares.
According to a filing Monday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Fertitta purchased the 6.1 percent stake in Wynn on Oct. 19. Wynn’s stock rose more than 11 percent Monday morning on the Nasdaq following news of the stock acquisition and closed at $63.90, up 9.61 percent.
Boyd expands nationally; Red Rock focused on Southern Nevada
The Nevada Independent provides an interesting overview and the contrast of Boyd and Red Rock expansion strategies. For Boyd Gaming, if Boyd Gaming has designs on expanding its Las Vegas footprint, CEO Keith Smith is keeping it quiet. Recently, Smith was asked “Are you looking for me to slip up and give you a scoop?” to which Smith responded, “[w]hen we have something to talk about, I’ll tell you.”
As to Red Rock, the approach is different for Red Rock Resorts. The company, Boyd’s largest competitor in the neighborhood casino market, has visions of doubling its footprint in the Las Vegas Valley by 2030. Red Rock, the corporate parent of operator Station Casinos, owns 630 acres of developable land across Southern Nevada.
For now, the under-construction $750 million Durango Station in southwestern Las Vegas, near the 215 Beltway, is the focus. It’s scheduled to open late next year. But Red Rock CFO Stephen Cootey told analysts on the company’s third-quarter conference call last week that sites in the Henderson community of Inspirada and Sky Canyon in northwest Las Vegas are moving “through the planning entitlement and zoning processes."
HEALTHCARE
Open Enrollment period begins for Nevada Health Link
The open enrollment period began Tuesday for Nevada Health Link. Those who don’t qualify for Medicare or Medicaid can sign up for coverage through the Silver State Exchange.
Open Enrollment runs from November 1, 2022 to January 15, 2023. Learn more about Open Enrollment here.
HOUSING
Governor Sisolak, Nevada Housing Division announce first round of funding awardees for $500 million Home Means Nevada initiative
Last week, Governor Sisolak and the Nevada Housing Division announced an initial set of funding awards for the $500 million Home Means Nevada initiative. Funded by American Rescue Plan dollars, this initiative will create lasting and generational change for Nevadans. Today’s awards total $155.7 million in funding, representing about one-third of the initiative.
The initiative includes four categories of funds that will be administered by the division – Multi-family Development, Multi-family Preservation, Land Acquisition and Home Ownership: New Development/Rehabilitation. The full list of the initial awards can be found at the link above.
Reno-Sparks median home prices fall as inventory, interest rates rise
The Northern Nevada housing market has finally slowed down; the Reno-Sparks area is seeing higher inventory and lower median home prices, which means buyers have a little more room to breathe. The median home price in Reno is $535,000 as of September 2022, down from $615,000 in May.
There are currently more than 1,300 listings on the market which is nearly double compared to near-record lows earlier in the year. Importantly, industry experts say the one thing buyers are going to want to look out for this year is higher borrowing costs as the Federal Reserve continues to implement interest rate hikes.
What we’re doing this Interim
The 2021 Nevada Legislature passed Assembly Bill 443, Legislation that fundamentally changed the way the Legislature operates between Sessions. The newly formed Interim Standing Committees have begun meeting, hearing overviews of their mission and setting agendas for the next eleven months.
Click here to view a list of upcoming Joint Interim Standing Committee meetings.
Click here to view the list of Bill Draft Requests (BDRs) for the upcoming 2023 Legislative Session.
2021 Redistricting Maps
The new boundaries would give 14 of the 21 state Senate districts and 27 of the 42 Assembly districts a voter registration advantage for Democrats over Republicans of more than 4.5 percent.
The Nevada Independent
Please see the links below to view the new district lines for Nevada Assembly, Senate and Congressional delegation.
Opening remarks
It’s happening (finally).
Ballots have been mailed and received, early voting has started and we can see the light at the end of this tunnel.
Let’s hope it’s not a train.
This is also the time when we get asked about candidates that are running and while we do have our personal suggestions, during these vitriolic times I usually point people to our Candidate List where you can click on a candidate’s name to view the campaign website, bio or other link.
Or Google.
Here are some other resources:
Voter Guides
I am also asked for my predictions for US Senate, Congress, and the Constitutional offices. I have them. They are sealed in an envelope that will be opened after the Election. Only my family, close friends, and clients are privy to such valuable information, not that it really maters…
My most public predictions, that I’ve made before: This will be an unprecedented, unpredictable election. Lawsuits will be filed, outcomes will be delayed, fraud will not be a factor.
Let us not forget that October 31st is NEVADA DAY! It is observed by the State on Friday, 10/28 and the best damn parade in the country is in Carson City on Saturday. Every candidate that matters will be there, beyond that the tradition is a lot of good ole Nevada style fun! You really need to witness Single Jack Rock Drilling to call yourself a true Nevadan.
Not feeling the Nevada Day vibe? Watch this: Home Means Nevada music video
Please, be kind to your poll workers.
Important Dates
| General Early Voting | October 22 – November 4 |
| General Election | Tuesday November 8, 2022 |
ICYMI
Update: Washoe County ballots not missing — they're still in the mail
How rural Nevada became the next battleground for the ‘Big Lie’
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Nevada Legislature Rating Changes Favors Republicans
ECONOMY
5 things to know about Nevada’s economy
Last week, the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation gave a presentation to the Economic Forum with updates about the state of Nevada’s economy. The Economic Forum is required to provide a forecast of general fund revenue for the next couple of fiscal years, which the governor uses in developing the executive budget. A subsequent meeting in May will guide the Legislature in finalizing that budget. Below are five key takeaways from DETR’s presentation.
2023 State Business Tax Climate Index: Nevada Ranks Seventh
The Index is designed to show how well states structure their tax systems and provides a road map for improvement.
EDUCATION
Nevada lieutenant governor wants cities, counties to add school board members
Nevada's lieutenant governor is proposing that county commissions and cities have the ability to add members to school district boards. Lisa Cano Burkhead filed a bill draft request that would have each county commission appoint a school board president, who would set the agenda and govern trustees, a spokesman for her office announced Thursday.
If the bill were to be passed, four more trustees could be added to the Clark County School District Board of Trustees. Clark County commissioners would appoint a school board president, while the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson would be able to appoint their own trustees.
ENVIRONMENT
Lithium Americas signs agreement with local tribe
The Elko Free Daily Press reports that Lithium America Corp., the company working toward developing the Thacker Pass lithium mine north of Winnemucca, announced last week that it has entered a Community Benefits Agreement with the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe. The CBA establishes a framework for continued collaboration and defines the long-term benefits for the tribe, the largest Native American community within the vicinity of the project.
Lithium Americas said the CBA is a product of years of engagement, job training and relationship-building between the company and the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe. The CBA states that Lithium Americas will continue to provide additional training and employment opportunities, and the company will support cultural education and preservation.
Also, Lithium Americas has agreed to build an 8,000 square foot community center for the tribe that includes a daycare, preschool, playground, cultural facility and communal greenhouse to support reclamation efforts and provide income for the tribe.
State puts $100M toward water conservation
Last week, the Interim Finance Committee approved $100 million in funding for water conservation projects across the state and another $6.4 million to modernize the state’s data on groundwater basins.
The Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will be tasked with allocating those funds for individual projects, and the department’s director, Jim Lawrence, said he plans to move fast to get things moving to meet the urgent water needs across the state. The department will set up a technical advisory committee immediately to create the criteria that will be used to award funding to those projects.
GAMING
More rules coming on esports wagering
The eight-member committee guiding the Nevada Gaming Control Board on developing regulations for wagering on esports unanimously voted to forward a regulatory proposal to the board and the Nevada Gaming Commission.
The Esports Technical Advisory Committee on Monday recommended amendments to Regulation 22, the board’s regulation overseeing race books and sports pools.
If the amendment is adopted by the board and commission, bettors in Nevada will soon be allowed to wager on a variety of video game competitions staged online or in Nevada venues.
HOUSING
Amid grad student pay crunch, UNR looks to private sector for housing solution
Last week, the Board of Regents approved a three-year lease agreement between UNR and Reno City Center (formerly the old Harrah’s tower) that could pave the way for at least some affordable housing units dedicated to Northern Nevada graduate students. By the fall of 2023, the Reno City Center will host 85 graduate students from UNR.
The new units will cost $995 per month for a studio-sized space, with annual increases of up to 5 percent per year baked into the contract — well below the current median Reno rent of $1,520. Those increases amount to roughly $1,100 per-month rent by the third year of the deal, and as much as $1,269 per month at the end of six years, should the deal be extended.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Massive $500 million project to bring 2 new concourses to Reno-Tahoe Intl. Airport
Reno-Tahoe International Airport begins its’ $500 million remodel bringing two new concourses, specifically Airport CEO Daren Griffin and other dignitaries held a news conference Thursday morning announcing the project which will demolish concourses B and C and build new ones.
OUTDOOR RECREATION
2022 Nevada Transportation, Trails, and Tourism Summit
The Nevada Transportation, Trails, and Tourism Summit shapes the future of active transportation and trail-based recreation in Nevada by bringing our communities together to network, and to discover and share best practices. The Summit will include keynote and plenary sessions, educational panels, presentations, technical workshops, and strategic sessions designed to activate partners to advance our shared efforts. But that's not all - the Summit will also feature a fun evening awards party and other activities designed to support networking and meeting new people. We will also promote stewardship, community engagement, active transportation, and outdoor recreation.
When: November 8-10, 2022
Where: Reno, NV
Tickets: $20
What we’re doing this Interim
The 2021 Nevada Legislature passed Assembly Bill 443, Legislation that fundamentally changed the way the Legislature operates between Sessions. The newly formed Interim Standing Committees have begun meeting, hearing overviews of their mission and setting agendas for the next eleven months.
Click here to view a list of upcoming Joint Interim Standing Committee meetings.
Click here to view the list of Bill Draft Requests (BDRs) for the upcoming 2023 Legislative Session.
2021 Redistricting Maps
The new boundaries would give 14 of the 21 state Senate districts and 27 of the 42 Assembly districts a voter registration advantage for Democrats over Republicans of more than 4.5 percent.
The Nevada Independent
Please see the links below to view the new district lines for Nevada Assembly, Senate and Congressional delegation.
At the inaugural Ruby Mountain Mental Health Summit hosted in September 2022 by MedX AirOne, the audience was engaged, the venue was beautiful, the dinner delicious, and the panel produced a productive conversation around steps toward solving the mental health crisis in rural Nevada. Elko County Sheriff Aitor Narvaiza even described it as “probably the best meeting we’ve had” on the topic.
Please find below a summary of recommendations based on the input from the panel, community leaders and behavioral health workers in attendance. These recommendations are based on the responses provided to the core question of the evening: If you had a blank check, how would you solve mental health issues in Nevada?
This year’s Summit was the first of many to come, as the mental health issues facing rural Nevadans will not be solved overnight. The policy recommendations produced this year will serve as progress indicators for next year’s Summit.
For an overview of the entire inaugural Summit, please click here to read the story in the Elko Daily Free Press covering the event.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN RURAL NEVADA