The G3Wire

April 18, 2025

Nevada Legislature lets 1 in 4 bills die last week, allowing a state lottery, limiting number of balloons released in a day and outlawing road rage are among 300 bills that died.  This week, Nevada lawmakers could ask voters to consider changing the state’s property tax system in a shake-up that could have big consequences for the state’s housing market and local government revenue. And Governor Lombardo sent a letter earlier this week applauding the president’s efforts to bring manufacturing jobs to the United States but expressing concerns about the tariffs’ impact on Nevada’s growing lithium industry. The lithium industry is still in its infancy, Lombardo wrote. There is no domestic technology capable of refining lithium to the standards required for manufacturing while also meeting environmental regulations. All manufacturing-grade lithium currently is imported from China.  And Nevada residents pay some of the highest grocery bills in the country, according to a new study.  Nevada households spend an average of $10,339 per year on groceries, ranking No. 4 in the country, according to a study from LendingTree. The figure is 27.2 percent more than the national average of $8,167. These interesting links and so much more below!!

Legislative Updates

June 2^nd       Sine die

Too busy fretting over you-know-who to follow the NV Legislature? The Current’s got you covered.

(There. Is. A. Lot. Going. On.) Here’s a look at the bills that caught our eye and where they are, complete with links to our prior coverage. (Nevada Current)

Dozens of measures met their demise in Carson City last week

Bills and resolutions had to pass out of a committee by Friday, which marked day 68 of the 120-day session; 281 did not. (Nevada Current)

Statewide lottery effort dies in Nevada Legislature

An effort to establish a Nevada Lottery died in the state’s Legislature when the 63-member body did not pick up the resolution before its first major deadline. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Closing the courtroom door: How a 2025 bill could impact access to legal hearings

Senate Bill 432 aims to close family court hearings to increase privacy, but opponents say it is unnecessary legislation that could hinder accountability. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Family court bill backs privacy; foes fret clarity

A bill being considered by the Nevada Legislature aims to close family court hearings to increase privacy, but opponents say it is unnecessary legislation that could hinder transparency of elected officials and harm people who can’t afford an attorney. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Property tax shake-up revived–New homes currently levied more than older ones

Nevada lawmakers could ask voters to consider changing the state’s property tax system in a shake-up that could have big consequences for the state’s housing market and local government revenue. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Storage auction notices could go online with bill

Assembly Bill 137 — sponsored by Assemblymembers Selena Torres-Fossett, D-Las Vegas, and Alexis Hansen, R-Sparks — updates a law from 1983 that requires a self-storage facility to post legal notices of auctions in a regional newspaper twice in two weeks. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Workers could get protection from toxic fumes, high heat

Edward Goodrich sees himself in the text of Nevada’s Assembly Bill 414.

“As I read the contents of AB 414, I quickly realized that this legislation was actually about me,” Goodrich told lawmakers on behalf of a Northern Nevada chapter of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Our takeaways on what lived, died on the Nevada Legislature’s first committee deadline

Welcome to a special edition of Behind the Bar, where our reporters bring you a roundup of some interesting nuggets that caught our eye during Friday’s deadline. (The Nevada Independent)

Reba’s Law resurrected after expiring in legislative committee

Legislation that could land animal abusers in prison for as long as ten years passed out of the Assembly Judiciary Committee late Monday after it appeared to die last week without a vote before the Legislature’s first deadline.  (Nevada Current)

Bill seeks administrative fix to avoid ‘manufactured crisis’ in private school scholarship program

Assembly Bill 441 does not affect the total funding amount for the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship program, better known as Opportunity Scholarships. The program and its funding have been a political battleground for Republicans and Democrats since being established in 2015. (Nevada Current) 

Second film bill billed as ‘not just a film bill’

Lange’s Senate Bill 220 seeks $1.6 billion in public subsidies over 18 years to support the construction and operation of a 34-acre film and production campus planned for a southwest Las Vegas lot owned by the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Nevada’s film tax credit program would jump from $10 million annually to $98 million in three years, then remain at $98 million annually for 15 years. (Nevada Current)

Legislation that died after missing deadline

It’s a no-go for bills on traffic enforcement cameras, a state lottery and daily room cleanings after failing to meet the first major legislative deadline. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Proposed legislation to limit book bans in Nevada libraries advances in state Assembly

Assembly Bill 416, which limits removal of library materials and protects librarians from criminal, civil or workplace repercussions for making materials available, cleared the Assembly Judiciary Committee last week and now moves to the full Assembly. (Las Vegas Sun)

Film tax credits legislation passes Senate committee

Lawmakers have advanced a plan to create a $900 million film studio complex through state-approved tax credits over a 15-year period. (Las Vegas Sun) 

From weird to serious, Nevada Legislature lets 1 in 4 bills die

Allowing a state lottery, limiting number of balloons released in a day and outlawing road rage are among 300 bills that died in 2025 Nevada Legislature. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Follow the Money: Which Nevada lawmakers got the most from health care, pharma groups?

Health care and pharmaceutical groups gave Nevada legislators more than $1.7 million during the 2024 election cycle, an increase of about 30 percent from the prior cycle. (The Nevada Independent)

Two years after passing it, Nevada lawmakers spike lottery legalization effort. Why?

Lawmakers decided against hearing AJR5 despite the legislation’s 2023 passage. Also, could Boyd win if Hawaii approves sports betting? (The Nevada Independent)

Lawmakers advance bill tying commerce tax threshold to inflation

Assembly Bill 276, sponsored by Republican Assemblymembers P.K. O’Neill and Jill Dickman, would make the threshold a moving target by tying it to inflation and the consumer price index. (Nevada Current)

Bill to fund high-need teacher positions moves forward

Assembly Bill 398, which would provide extra pay for teachers in hard-to-fill positions, remains active in the Nevada Legislature after surviving the first committee passage deadline. (Las Vegas Review)

Talks begin in Nevada Legislature about NV Energy’s wildfire liability

According to four people with knowledge of the situation, discussions are taking place behind the scenes about addressing NV Energy’s liability in wildfires started by its equipment. (The Nevada Independent) 

Should NV Energy help pay for fuel costs? Lawmakers say it’d help reduce bill spikes

A bill making its way through the Legislature asks state energy regulators to search for a way to mitigate power bill volatility when fuel prices spike by potentially requiring NV Energy to have more skin in the game. (The Nevada Independent)

Pair of legislative proposals push back against Trump’s anti-immigrant offensive

President Donald Trump’s efforts to carry out mass deportations and detain legal permanent residents and green card recipients has created increased “fear and uncertainty” throughout the state, immigrant groups have told Nevada lawmakers. (Nevada Current)

Updates from the Governor’s Office 

Lombardo to Trump: Lift lithium tariffs

The Republican governor sent a letter earlier this week applauding the president’s efforts to bring manufacturing jobs to the United States but expressing concerns about the tariffs’ impact on Nevada’s growing lithium industry. (Las Vegas Review Journal) 

State and Local Government Updates

Parents clash with CCSD over homeschooling, grade placement

Homeschooling increased during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. But some Las Vegas families find the process of returning to public school is not as simple as they thought. (Las Vegas Review Journal) 

Trump policies sour key travel ties with Canada, Mexico for Las Vegas

It’s a growing sentiment in Canada, Mexico and other countries as Trump has thrown the global economy into chaos. It started almost three months ago when Trump announced tariffs, which remain in place, against the United States’ two neighbors and started promoting his idea that Canada should be the 51st state. (Las Vegas Sun)

Clark Co. commissioner considering options for regulating scooters

From abandoned rental scooters cluttering resort sidewalks to teenage motorcyclists performing dangerous stunts in county parks, Clark County officials are developing comprehensive solutions to address safety concerns with electric scooters, bicycles and motorcycles. (Las Vegas Sun)

Politicos seek to unearth utility shutoff data

Instead of a data dump in April that can only be accessed easily through a records request, Senate Bill 442 would require shutoffs to be released quarterly, with numbers divided into months and separated by ZIP code. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Tax district for A’s ballpark set for Clark County vote

Clark County commissioners are set to vote on creating a tax district that will be responsible for paying for a portion of the hundreds of millions of dollars in public funding going toward the construction of the Athletics’ 33,000-fan capacity Las Vegas Strip ballpark. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Can Jhone Ebert fix ‘deep-seated skepticism’ as new Clark County schools leader?

The Clark County School Board voted unanimously Thursday to approve a four-year contract with Ebert, giving her the mantle as the next superintendent of the Clark County School District where she started her education career 35 years ago. (The Nevada Independent)

Athletics’ Las Vegas ballpark tax district approved by county commission

County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved the creation of the Sports and Entertainment Improvement District, that will raise $120 million to repay bonds the county will take out to fulfill their commitment to the up to $380 million in public funding approved by the Legislature in 2023 for the ballpark. (Las Vegas Review Journal) 

Judge blocks gaming regulators–Cease-and-desist order issued to N.Y. firm

A U.S. District Court judge has blocked state gaming regulators from enforcing sports wagering laws against a New York company that offers “event-based contracts” that look like sports bets. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

What’s Reno’s proposed plan for next year’s shortfall? Cuts and freezes, while debt hovers

The city of Reno is looking at freezing positions and cutting expenditures in the face of a $25 million budget shortfall. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Esmeralda County secures at least $15 million to mitigate impacts of lithium mine

Esmeralda County has secured an agreement with lithium developer Ioneer that will bring the rural county at least $15 million in funding to mitigate the impacts of a massive, planned mine in the least populated county in the state. (Nevada Current)

Ethics agreement tossed–Commission wants Office of Energy’s director to face fine

The Nevada Commission on Ethics rejected an agreement Wednesday that would have resolved a complaint against the head of the state’s energy office, with commissioners saying they want disciplinary action to include a fine. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Water authority wary of tariffs–Construction costs cloud budget presentation

The Southern Nevada Water Authority’s head official is closely tracking how construction costs may snowball under the federal government’s tariff structure. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Federal Updates

Cortez Masto floats plans to expand tax cuts for Nevadans

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto aims to cut taxes for Nevadans with two pieces of legislation she co-introduced last week. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Federal cuts might hit 28% of state’s budget–Most funds support Department of Health

Nevada’s largest share of funding comes from the federal government, and with efforts to curb spending in Washington, D.C., those pending cuts could affect programs in the Silver State. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

New changes to Social Security phone service — here’s what to know

Changes to direct deposit info must be done online or in-person starting April 14, but plans to end claims processing by phone have been scrapped. (Reno Gazette Journal)

“WTF”: Horsford’s viral moment on tariffs underscores Nevada delegation’s response

The tariff roller coaster took several new sharp turns this week, leaving members of both parties in Congress behind. (The Nevada Independent)

Trump HHS eliminates office that sets poverty levels tied to benefits for at least 80 Million people

President Donald Trump’s firings at the Department of Health and Human Services included the entire office that sets federal poverty guidelines, which determine whether tens of millions of Americans are eligible for health programs such as Medicaid, food assistance, child care, and other services, former staff said. (Nevada Current)

Trump signals tariffs are coming on computer chips and drugs

President Donald Trump signaled Monday that he would soon announce additional tariffs targeting imported computer chips and pharmaceuticals; while suggesting he could also move to relax levies on imported cars and auto parts. (Las Vegas Sun)

Immigrant advocates warn of ICE activity in Las Vegas

Immigrant advocates are warning Las Vegas-area residents of increased immigration enforcement activity this week after receiving reports from different attorneys. (Las Vegas Sun)

Cortez Masto helped deliver solution to fentanyl for Nevada

The fentanyl crisis is devastating families across Nevada and the nation, but law enforcement may be more capable of tackling the problem soon. The Senate recently passed the HALT Fentanyl Act in an overwhelming 84-16 vote, and the bill is now expected to become law. (Las Vegas Sun)

Lawmakers from Nevada reintroduce legislation banning bump stocks

U.S Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., has reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would ban bump stocks, the devices used during the Oct. 1, 2017, mass shooting on the Strip. (Las Vegas Sun) 

Expanding the child tax credit has some Republican support. Now what?

Republicans and Democrats have been juggling proposals for the credit — currently a $2,000-per-child tax incentive — as Congress renegotiates the country’s tax structure. (The Nevada Independent)

New Nevada U.S. Attorney Chattah says she’s temporarily ‘walked away from’ RNC role

Sigal Chattah, the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Nevada, said in a radio interview last week that she had “walked away” from her responsibilities as one of Nevada’s two Republican National Committee (RNC) officers — though she is still listed in the role on the RNC’s website.  (The Nevada Independent)

Study finds more abortions, including in Nevada, but less travel amid shifting legal landscape

Some residents of states with bans obtain abortion pills through community networks, foreign pharmacies or medical providers in other states. (The Nevada Independent)

Trump ends FHA COVID-era mortgage assistance 

The move comes after President Joe Biden, days before leaving office, instructed the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make the relief efforts permanent.  (Nevada Current)

Election News Updates

Could Nevada voters change the property tax system?

The Nevada Legislature could ask voters to consider reforming the state’s property tax system in a shake-up that could have big consequences for the state’s housing market and municipalities’ revenue. (Las Vegas Review Journal) 

Aguilar will discuss voting barriers with state’s tribal groups

Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar’s tour began Tuesday with the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum to consult with local staff and leaders. (Nevada Appeal)

Articles of Interest

Boring Co. eyeing Vegas Loop stations near Sphere; Monorail upgrade set to get underway

The Boring Company is looking at a pair of sites to construct Vegas Loop stations that would in part serve patrons going to and from Sphere, while work to prolong the use of the Las Vegas Monorail is getting underway. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Public meeting at Las Vegas City Hall leads to confrontation, firing, arrest

What began as a routine discussion at a Las Vegas Planning Commission meeting devolved into a squabble that led to a public firing and an arrest. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Las Vegas company uses AI to streamline clean energy development agreements

Wind farms stretching across 1,000 acres. Solar energy projects generating 500 megawatts of power. (Las Vegas Sun)

Despite late winter rally, Nevada’s snowpack was a mixed bag across state

A dry January, warm storms and a March ‘heatwave’ contributed to minimal low-elevation snowpack and variable conditions statewide. (The Nevada Independent)

Immigration coalition addresses rumblings of expanded ICE presence in Southern Nevada

Amid rumblings and fear of a larger presence from Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Southern Nevada this week, attorneys and immigration groups are urging people to plan ahead but not to panic. (Nevada Current)

Southern Nevada set for ‘lean water year,’ while northern Nevada snowpack in ‘good shape

Despite two consecutive decent water years, both reservoirs could see gains reversed, according to the monthly Nevada Water Supply Outlook Report from the Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. (Nevada Current) 

The fix for parched western states: Recycled toilet water

On the high end, Nevada reuses 85 percent, followed by Arizona at 52 percent. But other states lag far behind, including California (22 percent) and New Mexico (18 percent), with Colorado and Wyoming at less than 4 percent and Utah recycling next to nothing. (Nevada Current)

Resorts World hires industry veteran to draw global gamblers

Resorts World Las Vegas announced the appointment of Greg Shulman as executive vice president of international marketing. According to a news release, Shulman’s new role will focus on high-end player development as part of the property’s “long-term growth strategy of expanding our international presence.” (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Elaine Wynn, visionary businesswoman and champion of education, dies

Elaine Wynn, a transformative force in Las Vegas and a passionate advocate for education reform, has died, her foundation announced this morning. (Las Vegas Sun)

Washoe library director Jeff Scott receives poor evaluation, goes before board Wednesday

Washoe County library director Jeff Scott received a 90-day evaluation from library board members, with an overall effectiveness score of 1.42 out of 3. (Reno Gazette Journal)

LV among metro areas with lowest property tax rates

Las Vegas has the fourth lowest property tax rate of major metropolitan areas, says a new report from ATTOM Data, a real estate analyst.  (Nevada Current)

Clearing the air on meaning of ‘4/20’ Day–Nevada was among the first states to legalize weed after once having the harshest policy

The origins of the term “420” and its connection to cannabis culture were long shrouded in mystery, with various myths circulating about its meaning. (Las Vegas Sun)

Nevadans pay big for groceries–State’s per-household bill is fourth highest

Nevada residents pay some of the highest grocery bills in the country, according to a new study.  Nevada households spend an average of $10,339 per year on groceries, ranking No. 4 in the country, according to a study from LendingTree. The figure is 27.2 percent more than the national average of $8,167. (Las. Vegas Review Journal)

Deal gets lithium-boron mine closer to operation

A development agreement has been signed between a Nevada county and North America’s largest lithium-boron project to bring the mine one step closer to operation. (Las. Vegas Review Journal)

Earthquakes trigger decline in rare Death Valley fish, recovery efforts underway

Earthquakes in December and February created waves in a Death Valley National Park pond that devastated the habitat of one of the world’s rarest fish, but recovery efforts are now showing promise, officials said. (Las Vegas Sun)

Las Vegas Pride pushes on as corporate support of DEI causes wanes nationally

Amid a national trend of major sponsors withdrawing from LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations due to diversity, equity and inclusion rollbacks, Las Vegas Pride is forging new relationships and expanding preexisting ones, organizers said. (Las Vegas Sun)

Study finds more abortions, including in Nevada, but less travel amid shifting legal landscape

Fewer people crossed state lines to obtain abortions in 2024 than a year earlier, both nationwide and in Nevada, a new survey has found. Some residents of states with bans obtain abortion pills through community networks, foreign pharmacies or medical providers in other states. (The Nevada Independent)