Weekly Update- February 12, 2021: Session Wrap Up- Week 2, New COVID Directives

The second week of the 81st Session of the Nevada Legislature brought more agency presentations, budgets, and a few bill hearings. A few highlights from the week:

AB106

AB106 was introduced and moved quickly through the process. It was signed Friday morning by Governor Sisolak. The measure provides an additional $50 million for small businesses through the Pandemic Emergency Technical Support (PETS) Grant Program. The Governor prioritized the additional funding for the grant assistance program in his State of the State address in January.  

Department of Administration Presentation

On February 9, Erin Hasty, the Interim Administrator for the Nevada Grant Office gave a presentation on general information on the office. This presentation included information on challenges faced by the office during the COVID-19 pandemic and their goals for the 2021 legislative session. Questions from the committee were primarily focused around clarifying the grants process for Nevada and how it compared to the grants processes in other states. 

Department of Motor Vehicles Presentation

Julie Butler, Director of the DMV, presented an overview of the budget requests and policy goals of the DMV to the Assembly Committee on Growth and Infrastructure on February 9. Committee members had questions that focused on addressing the long waitlist for appointments at the DMV as well as to make appointment scheduling accessible to all citizens. 

Department of Transportation Presentation

Kristina Swallow, the P.E. Director at NDOT, presented an overview of the budget requests and policy goals of the Department to the Assembly Committee on Growth and Infrastructure on February 9. Much of this presentation focused on the adjustments to the Highway Fund. Committee members had questions that focused on what the Department’s efforts were to combat climate change. 

Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) Presentation

On February 10, Elisa Cafferata, Director of DETR, presented an overview of DETR and the various challenges that were faced by the Department during 2020. Committee members had questions regarding the programs that were mentioned in the presentation as well as clarifying questions because there appeared to be a difference from what they had been hearing from constituents. Those who called in for public testimony did not believe DETR was doing enough to help those in need. 

SB75

SB75, a bill proposed by DETR that revises statute relating to unemployment compensation, was heard by the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor on February 10. Committee members asked questions that specifically focused around the large amount of cuts that were in the bill as well as questions that clarified what the changes would benefit. In public testimony on the bill there was overwhelming opposition towards the removal of non-professional school employees receiving unemployment. Many people also testified stating that DETR has not provided proper support during this time.  

Governor’s Office of Energy Presentation

On February 11, David Bobzien and Jennifer Taylor from the Governor’s Office Energy presented a general overview of the office to the Assembly Committee on Growth and Infrastructure. This presentation included an overview of challenges the GOE faced in 2020 with COVID-19 as well as policy goals for the 2021 legislative session. Committee members had questions regarding tax programs mentioned in the presentation as well as the Governor’s efforts to address the climate crisis. 

SCR1

SCR1 urges employers in Nevada to provide PPE to their employees to continue the effort of decreasing the spread of COVID-19. There were no questions from the Committee, but did receive unanimous support and all members wanted to cosign. On February 11, 2021 this bill received a motion do pass, and passed unanimously with all members of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services as cosigners.

New COVID Directives

On February 11th, Governor Sisolak announced the easing of certain COVID-19 mitigation measures and set a long-term strategy to return the management of COVID-19 to local counties by May 1st. The plans for a safe reopening are focused on how we can continue mitigating the spread while getting Nevadans back to work, protecting and recovering our economy, and getting students back to in-person learning in the safest way possible.  

  • Starting February 15, 2021
    • Public gatherings are limited to 100 individuals or 35% capacity, which ever is less
    • Large Gathering Plans allowed for submission but cannot resume until March 1 and only if granted approval by applicable local health and state authorities.
    • 35% Capacity Limit for the following: 
      • Food and Beverage establishments
        • Reservations no longer required
        • No more than 6 per table
      • Places of worship
      • Gyms, fitness studios, and similar establishments
        • Locker rooms open, but are limited to 50% capacity
      • Gaming floors
      • Arcades, racetracks, bowling alleys, and similar activities
    • 50% capacity limit for the following: 
      • Libraries, museums, art galleries, aquariums and zoos
      • Retail stores and indoor malls
      • Medicinal and recreational cannabis establishments
      • Community/recreational centers
    • Can operate under strict social distancing requirements and protocols
      • Spas, massage therapy and establishments
      • Hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, etc. 
      • Body art and piercing establishments
    • Private Gatherings:
      • Restricted to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors
  • Starting March 15, 2021
    • Almost all business-types and activities will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity
      • Food and Beverage establishments
        • No occupancy limits on outdoor dining as long as social distancing 
        • Reservations not required
        • No more than 6 per table
      • Places of worship
      • Gyms, fitness studios and similar establishments
        • Locker rooms open, but are limited to 50% capacity
      • Gaming Floors
      • Arcades, racetracks, bowling alleys, and similar activities
    • Public Gatherings: 
      • No more than 100 individuals or 35% of fire code capacity
      • Large Gathering Plans allowed for submission and potential approval
    • Private Gatherings:
      • Restricted to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors
  • Starting May 1, 2021
    • From February 15 to the end of April, each county should aim to demonstrate a decrease in case rate and positivity rate
    • There will be a transition to local authority on May 1, 2021
      • Statewide directives that will remain in place to mitigate the spread will include face covering mandates and social distancing safety protocols

*Special thanks to Emily Espinosa, one of G3’s amazing interns, for her contributions to this week’s G3Wire*


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