The G3Wire

June 6, 2025

And just like that, the 83rd legislative session is over.  Monday’s close of session means dozens of bills now await Gov. Joe Lombardo’s signature. Since entering office, Lombardo has generally stayed quiet on environmental issues, and it will be interesting to watch what bills he signs or gives a silent sign of approval to and which bills he kills. The Reno City Council approved a $1.03 billion budget for fiscal year 2026 on Wednesday.  The city turned in the final budget proposal to the state last week, bridging a $25.6 million shortfall in the general fund in part by cutting open positions and introducing a hiring freeze.  Three geothermal projects in Nevada are being fast-tracked for review by the Trump administration as part of a “national energy emergency,” potentially speeding up access to clean energy but also raising questions about environmental impacts.  These Nevada news links and lots more below!

Legislative Updates

Live Updates: Nevada Legislature barrels toward end of session

There are less than 24 hours left in Nevada’s 83rd legislative session, and hundreds of bills and last minute surprises could be waiting in the wings. (The Nevada Independent)

Key Nevada bills up in the air–Film tax credits, attainable housing, health care, education

 The end of the 120-day legislative session is fast approaching, and Nevada legislators are working day and night to push forward legislation before they adjourn late Monday. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Lombardo, Cannizzaro appear to strike deal on major Nevada education bill

The proposal calls for more school accountability but cuts out the governor’s proposal to allow chronically underperforming schools to be converted to charters. (The Nevada Independent)

By thin margin, Assembly passes bill to provide $1.4b in tax credits for Summerlin movie studio

The Nevada Assembly on Friday night approved what will likely be the state’s largest ever public subsidy: $1.4 billion in transferable tax credits over 15 years to support a movie studio in Las Vegas. (Nevada Current)

Lower felony theft threshold — a key Lombardo priority — removed from gov’s crime bill

A committee advanced the bill, but with major changes that crack down on smash-and-grab burglaries and increase penalties for certain offenses on the Strip. (The Nevada Independent)

Voter ID proposed as compromise by Dems–Legislation would also expand mail drop boxes

A top Democratic lawmaker proposed adding voter ID requirements to an election bill Saturday — a significant show of compromise between Democrats and Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo as the 2025 legislative session’s adjournment approaches. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Once Legislature adjourns, all eyes will be on Lombardo’s veto pen

As of late Sunday, 223 bills were listed by the Nevada State Legislature as being in Gov. Joe Lombardo’s office, and dozens more are headed his way. So far, the first-term Republican governor has vetoed just one bill and signed 169. (Reno Gazette Journal) (Nevada Current)

Culinary, casino resorts unite to reestablish court that could ban people from Strip

In a last-minute joint letter to Gov. Joe Lombardo, the Resort Association and Culinary Union urged lawmakers to adopt the proposal reestablishing the court with powers to ban people from the region. (The Nevada Independent) 

Still no green light for film tax credit bill as Legislature hits adjournment day

The Hollywood movie studios seeking $1.4 billion in transferable tax breaks over 15 years have clearly not received a red carpet rollout from the Nevada State Legislature. (Reno Gazette Journal) (Nevada Current)

Heard in committee for first time, Lombardo’s big crime bill landed with an audible thud

Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo’s wide-ranging crime bill was heavily criticized at its first hearing this week for not only seeking to undermine previous reforms passed in 2019, but for being crafted without any consultation with organizations involved in criminal justice reforms. (Nevada Current)

Top Republican lawmaker recommends upping state collaboration with ICE 

Senate Minority Leader Robin Titus called on Nevada law enforcement to enter a program known as 287(g), which deputizes police to carry out immigration duties. (The Nevada Independent) 

Legis-late night–Lawmakers go right up until session’s end for final votes

Lawmakers powered through the final night of the 2025 session as major policy proposals cropped up within hours of the midnight deadline. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

It’s over: Nevada legislative session ends; film studio bills die

Two Nevada legislative proposals aimed at expanding film tax credits to attract movie studios to Las Vegas failed to advance before the close of the state’s 83rd legislative session early this morning. (Las Vegas Sun)

Nevada Legislature: 11th hour sprint on final day not enough for film studio, two Lombardo bills

Tha tha that’s all, folks!  The Nevada State Legislature channeled their inner “Looney Tunes” and ended this year’s session in dramatic fashion, with a Senate Republican-led filibuster and the death of several high-profile bills. Most prominent among the casualties was the heavily lobbied proposal to give $1.4 billion in transferable tax breaks to the film industry, as well as two of Gov. Joe Lombardo’s priority bills. (Nevada Current)

PHOTOS: Lawmakers dash to finish line of Nevada’s 2025 legislative session

On the final day, lawmakers, staff and lobbyists scrambled to push forward some of the most consequential bills of the 120-day session. Not everything made it before time ran out. (The Nevada Independent)

Culinary, casino resorts unite to reestablish court that could ban people from Strip

In a last-minute joint letter to Gov. Joe Lombardo, the Resort Association and Culinary Union urged lawmakers to adopt the proposal reestablishing the court with powers to ban people from the region. (The Nevada Independent)

What died on the last day of the Nevada legislative session?

As of Tuesday morning, a review showed that more than 150 bills had died by the final legislative deadline. (The Nevada Independent)

Law allows school bully transfers

School boards in Nevada will soon be able to transfer bullies to other schools within a district, a result of legislation signed into law by Gov. Joe Lombardo last week.  Assembly Bill 48, sponsored by the Clark County School District, was passed by both the Assembly and Senate and signed by Lombardo on May 26. It goes into effect July 1. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

CSN receives more funds to build new campus

The College of Southern Nevada’s decades-long effort to build a new campus moved one step closer after it received new money from the Legislature. An amendment to Senate Bill 427 appropriated $300,000 for improvements and extensions for the facilities of CSN’s Northwest Campus. The community college wants to build an approximately 40-acre campus at Elkhorn Road and Grand Montecito Parkway in Centennial Hills. It already has the land. (Las Vegas Review Journal) 

Nevada lawmakers OK lifeline for crumbling schools in rural districts

Legislation to help repair or replace deteriorating schools in rural Nevada counties is awaiting the governor’s signature.  Assembly Bill 224 unanimously cleared the state Senate with just two hours left in the Nevada legislative session Monday night, the penultimate step before becoming law. Gov. Joe Lombardo has 10 days to sign the bill. (Las Vegas Sun)

Heat measures signed into law–Urban plans must factor high temperatures

Nevada’s biggest cities and counties must now incorporate protective heat measures into urban planning because of a newly signed law.  In a win for environmental groups, Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican, signed Assembly Bill 96 following the veto of a similar bill in the 2023 legislative session. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Failed crime bill highlights messy, last-minute legislative process

In the end, Gov. Joe Lombardo’s wide-ranging crime bill to stiffen penalties for DUI offenses, retail theft, and crimes on the Las Vegas Strip died because the Nevada State Legislature simply ran out of time. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Legislature’s chaotic ending kill Lombardo’s crime bill? It’s complicated.

Sources close to the Senate Democratic Caucus said that caucus leaders offered to hold a quick special session to pass the bill, but the governor declined.  (The Nevada Independent)

2025 Lombardo Veto Tracker: Rent control, opt-out sex ed, Styrofoam ban rejected

The governor’s more than 30 vetoes also included a Muslim American Heritage Month and raising the age to purchase a semiautomatic weapon. (The Nevada Independent)

Trees, water, shade: Nevada governor OKs extreme-heat bill after 2023 veto

The bill requires some local governments to update master plans to better reconcile with rising temperatures. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Lombardo vetoes trans protections bills, in contrast to previous session
Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed two bills this week that would have enshrined a shield law for health care providers who offer gender-affirming care and ensured protections for transgender people incarcerated at local jails. (Nevada Current)

Failed crime bill highlights messy, last-minute legislative process

In the final hours of the session, the state Senate and Assembly passed slightly different versions of Senate Bill 457 with overwhelming bipartisan support, but the Senate was forced to adjourn before it could take a second vote to approve the last-minute amendments added by the Assembly. (Nevada Current)

As session ends, fate of environmental bills now in Lombardo’s hands

And just like that, the 83rd legislative session is over.   In its wake, Nevada lawmakers have passed bills authorizing the state to join not one but two interstate wildfire compacts, increasing protections for utility customers who are overcharged and banning Styrofoam. (The Nevada Independent)

Updates from the Governor’s Office

Statement from Governor Lombardo on the 2025 Legislative Session

Following the conclusion of the 83rd (2025) Session of the Nevada Legislature, please see the following statement from Governor Joe Lombardo.  “As the session concludes, I’m proud to report that we’ve made significant progress in our two most critical endeavors this session: combatting the rising cost of housing and improving outcomes in our K-12 education system. (gov.nv.gov)

State and Local Government Updates

Trump fast tracks Nevada geothermal projects via shorter environmental review

Three geothermal projects in Nevada are being fast-tracked for review by the Trump administration as part of a “national energy emergency,” potentially speeding up access to clean energy but also raising questions about environmental impacts. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Homeland Security’s list of ‘sanctuary cities’ pulled down after sheriffs object

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security over the weekend took down a public list of cities and jurisdictions that the Trump administration labeled as “sanctuary” cities, after a sharp rebuke from a group representing 3,000 sheriffs and local law enforcement. (Nevada Current)

UNLV survey: Heat is hot topic–Residents note ‘silent killer,’ rising energy costs

Nevadans are feeling the effects of extreme heat in their lives and on their wallets, a newly published UNLV report reveals. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Justices turn away challenge to states’ bans on assault weapons

WASHINGTON — A closely divided Supreme Court refused Monday to hear a Second Amendment challenge to the bans on semiautomatic rifles in Maryland, California and eight other blue states. (Las Vegas Sun)

Bullies now eligible for school transfers in Nevada with Lombardo signature

A bill signed by Gov. Joe Lombardo this week will allow school districts to transfer students who have committed substantiated discrimination and bullying to different schools, rather than only being able to move the victims who had already endured being targeted by peers. (Las Vegas Sun)

Metro Police shift on ICE policy, agrees to cooperate on jail holds

In an apparent reversal of standing policy, Metro Police have signed a memorandum of agreement to revive the department’s partnership with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. (Las Vegas Sun)

Metro jail not sanctuary–Sheriff confirms deal with ICE to turn over undocumented

The Metropolitan Police Department is re-entering into a formal agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that would allow officers to conduct immigration duties at the Clark County Detention Center. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Reno council finalizes budget with fee increase, hiring freeze

The Reno City Council approved a $1.03 billion budget for fiscal year 2026 on Wednesday.  The city turned in the final budget proposal to the state last week, bridging a $25.6 million shortfall in the general fund in part by cutting open positions and introducing a hiring freeze. (Reno Gazette Journal)

In the country’s fastest-warming city, extreme-heat planning is just beginning

The Nevada State Climate Office held its first-ever Northern Nevada Heat Summit in Reno. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Henderson’s deputy police chief put on leave and given ultimatum, sources say

It’s a similar proposition that was given to former chief Hollie Chadwick, who was fired in March after the city manager lost confidence in Chadwick’s ability to improve the department. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Judge: City of Mesquite in contempt for violating order on former police chief’s firing

The City of Mesquite’s messy firing of its chief of police earlier this year has resulted in contempt of court findings by a Clark County judge against the city, former City Attorney Mike Branum, and outside counsel Marcus Lee. (Nevada Current)

Federal Updates

Will the release of federal land help Nevada’s affordable housing crisis? It depends

Nevada’s public land hosts mines, supports recreation, houses wildlife in need of conservation and generates renewable energy. (The Nevada Independent)

Senate works on ‘beautiful’ bill–Changes coming to version of tax package passed by House

WASHINGTON — It’s the calm before the reconciliation storm fully reaches the Senate this week, with Republicans working behind the scenes to try to forge their own agreement on changes to their “one big, beautiful bill.” (Las Vegas Review Journal)

3 Nevada geothermal projects fast-tracked under Trump’s quickie environmental review process

Three proposed geothermal projects in Nevada will be among the first fast-tracked under the Trump administration’s new streamlined environmental review process, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced last week. (Nevada Current)

Musk got little for selling out

So, Elon Musk is finally exiting the White House, leaving behind a trail of broken promises (he didn’t save trillions of dollars). (Las Vegas Sun)

Resort Association can intervene in gaming suit

A U.S. District Court judge is allowing the Nevada Resort Association to intervene in a lawsuit filed by a New York-based federal prediction market against Nevada gaming regulators. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

GOP mocks $2.4 trillion price tag put on Trump tax package–‘Big, beautiful bill’ backers prefer their own rosy outlook over economists’ estimates

Even before House Republicans learned the full price of their tax package Wednesday, one of the bill’s chief authors, Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri, was sowing doubt about the accuracy of the estimate. (Las Vegas Sun) 

Use cattle to decrease wildfire risk? Sen. Cortez Masto proposes strategic grazing bill

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto wants to enlist cows in the battle against wildfires.  Her bill — which she introduced before Congress on June 5 with co-lead sponsor Sen. John Curtis, a Utah Republican — calls for utilizing “livestock grazing as a wildfire risk reduction tool.” (Reno Gazette Journal)

Long-thwarted efforts to sell public lands see new life under Trump

Some Western states have long pushed to reduce federal ownership.  Public outcry was swift and forceful after a U.S. House committee last month hastily approved an amendment directing the federal government to sell off more than half a million acres of public land. (Nevada Current)

Senators object to Trump push to ax Education Department programs for low-income students

WASHINGTON — U.S. senators from both parties pressed Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Tuesday over the Trump administration’s proposal to eliminate funding for key programs administered by the Education Department for disadvantaged and low-income students. (Nevada Current)

On heels of Trump calling Vegas a ‘sanctuary,’ police say they’ll rejoin 287(g) program

Metro police would be allowed to hold undocumented people in its jails for an additional two days so ICE can pick them up for longer-term detention. (The Nevada Independent)

Election News Updates

Politicians, scared of truly open primaries, offer ‘limited’ alternative for nonpartisan voters

A ballot measure to establish an open-primary, ranked-choice voting system in Nevada may have been rejected by voters last November, but its underlying message of voter disenfranchisement clearly struck a chord with Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager. (Nevada Current)

Nevada finds rare bipartisan middle ground on voting, elections

In a deal that came together in the waning days of the session, the Democratic-controlled Legislature approved a bill that combined a requirement for voter ID — a conservative priority across the country and something that has been on Lombardo’s legislative wish list — with a Democratic-backed measure to add more drop boxes for mailed ballots in the state’s most populous counties. (Las Vegas Sun)

Former elections officer Cari-Ann Burgess sues Washoe County alleging toxic workplace

Former elections chief Cari-Ann Burgess has filed a damning lawsuit against Washoe County, detailing what she calls a toxic work environment, coercion and retaliation. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Articles of Interest

Nonprofit giving Nevada high school students a guide to adulting

In this edition of Indy Education, learn about a nonprofit teaching high school seniors how to be adults before they graduate. (The Nevada Independent)

Bitcoin bros’ mistrust of government lingers even after GOP’s embrace

“Make America Great Again” hats and crypto-themed variations of the slogan were everywhere among the 30,000 attendees at last week’s Bitcoin conference in Las Vegas. (Las Vegas Sun)

UPC codes for cannabis add layer of assurance–Nevada is one of 18 markets in which Retail ID has rolled out

Metrc, a provider of regulatory technology for the cannabis industry, has introduced what CEO Michael Johnson defines as “UPC for the cannabis space:” a barcode system called Retail ID that will ease regulation, increase operational efficiency for participating brands and retailers, and provide detailed product information to consumers. (Las Vegas Sun)

Nevada median income: Here’s where the state ranks, according to WalletHub

Nevada’s median income ranks in the lower half of states, according to a 2025 analysis by WalletHub.  (Reno Gazette Journal)

Outdoor tourism businesses could take a financial hit as international travelers avoid Nevada

In this week’s Indy Gaming, a general malaise toward U.S. travel hurts more than just the gaming industry. Also, changes approved for private gaming salons. (The Nevada Independent)

Will the release of federal land help Nevada’s affordable housing crisis? It depends

Nevada’s public land hosts mines, supports recreation, houses wildlife in need of conservation and generates renewable energy. Now, its public land is being asked to pull more weight as it is considered as a solution to the state’s affordable housing shortage. (The Nevada Independent)

Nonprofit giving Nevada high school students a guide to adulting

In this edition of Indy Education, learn about a nonprofit teaching high school seniors how to be adults before they graduate. (The Nevada Independent)

Amazon pursuing $10 billion N.C. plan–Campus to support cloud computing, AI

HAMLET, N.C. — Amazon plans to invest $10 billion toward building a campus in North Carolina to expand its cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure, bringing a shot in the arm to a region where many textile and apparel jobs dried up a generation ago. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

What’s being built on Mount Rose Highway near the Summit Reno mall?

Amazon confirmed with the Reno Gazette Journal that it is building a new same-day delivery facility in south Reno. The retail giant says work will continue at the site through 2026. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Deadline for businesses, HOAs to replace decorative grass is approaching

A Nevada law passed in 2021 prohibits the use of Colorado River water to irrigate nonfunctional, decorative grass at businesses, HOAs, and multi-family properties beginning Jan. 1, 2027. (Las Vegas Review Journal)