The G3Wire

January 3, 2025

Happy New Year!!  As Nevadans ring in the new year with fireworks and festivities, new laws passed by the Legislature a year and a half prior will take effect, from a diaper tax exemption to a wage requirement for employees with disabilities. And well before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal court ruling that prevented cities from punishing unhoused people and paved the way for a national rise in anti-homeless camping bans, Nevada lawmakers considered putting its own limits on how cities respond to homelessness.  And as President Joe Biden nears the end of his time in office, his administration is proposing lasting protections for a mountain range commonly referred to as the “Swiss Alps of Nevada.”  These interesting stories and much more below!

State and Local Government Updates

$2.6M project to reduce erosion on Las Vegas Wash to begin in January

The Southern Nevada Water Authority will begin work on a $2.6 million project in January to fix a series of “aquatic speed bumps” that reduce erosion along the Las Vegas Wash. (Las Vegas Sun)

New state laws take effect–From diapers to banned drones to minimum wages for disabled

As Nevadans ring in the new year with fireworks and festivities, new laws passed by the Legislature a year and a half prior will take effect, from a diaper tax exemption to a wage requirement for employees with disabilities. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Las Vegas puts 22 license plate cameras at 11 sites

The city of Las Vegas announced Tuesday that it had installed cameras that read license plates in the downtown area ahead of Tuesday’s New Year’s Eve festivities.  City officials said Tuesday that the 22 cameras at 11 locations had gone live. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

New Nevada law that takes effect today aims for fair wages for workers with disabilities

The change is the result of Assembly Bill 259, which prohibits Nevada job and day-training service providers from entering a contract that pays employees less than the state minimum wage. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

CCSD encounters a flurry of changes, controversies in 2024

Leadership change, budgeting errors and the future of a small community’s school were among the issues that led the news this past year in the Clark County School District. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Anti-homeless camping bans marked by procedural pitfalls and counterproductive criminalizing

Well before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal court ruling that prevented cities from punishing unhoused people and paved the way for a national rise in anti-homeless camping bans, Nevada lawmakers considered putting its own limits on how cities respond to homelessness.  (Nevada Current)

Nevada legal cannabis sales keep dropping; industry blames illicit market 

The state’s legal dispensaries logged $829 million in taxable sales in the fiscal year that ended in June. Sales have fallen each year since peaking in fiscal year 2021. (The Nevada Independent)

Federal Updates

Nevada US attorney nominated by Biden to step down prior to Trump’s inauguration

The top U.S. law enforcement official in Nevada, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, is stepping down from his position shortly before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.  U.S. Attorney Jason Frierson’s last day is Jan. 17, three days before Trump’s inauguration, his office announced Monday. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

BLM to auction off 90 acres in Las Vegas Valley

The Bureau of Land Management plans to auction off nearly 90 acres littered throughout the Las Vegas Valley in March. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Energy exploration to be blocked–Ruby Mountains won’t be leased for 20 years

As President Joe Biden nears the end of his time in office, his administration is proposing lasting protections for a mountain range commonly referred to as the “Swiss Alps of Nevada.” (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Biden moves to bar oil, gas and geothermal development in a Nevada mountain range for 20 years

The administration said it has submitted an application to withdraw about 264,000 acres (107,000 hectares) of federal lands in the area from such leasing. That starts a 90-day public comment period on the 20-year prohibition and prevents oil, gas and geothermal development for two years during the process. (msn.com)

Articles of Interest

Oil exploration in this part of Nevada soon to be ruled out for 20 years

Following community outcry, Nevada’s congressional delegation began to champion the cause in Washington, D.C. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., called on the Biden administration to administer a withdrawal last year. They introduced the Ruby Mountains Protection Act in hopes of making the withdrawal permanent, as well. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Carter’s ‘shining’ post-presidency recalled

National and local politicians shared their thoughts and condolences after former President Jimmy Carter died Sunday at the age of 100. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Former President Jimmy Carter dies at 100

Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, has died. He was 100 years old. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

National and local politicians reflect on former President Jimmy Carter’s legacy

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter died on Sunday at the age of 100. He was the longest-living U.S. president in history. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

A’s Las Vegas ballpark: What’s left to do before construction on the Strip can begin?

With key Athletics Las Vegas ballpark agreements and a funding plan approved, the burning question is what needs to take place for construction to begin.  The A’s must hit milestones in their stadium design process and entitlement and permitting with Clark County. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

These seven US salaries explain what it means to be rich in 2024

The average American earns a little less than $60,000 a year, according to federal data. In Nevada, the average is lower, at just over $55,000. But most of us think you need two or three times that much to achieve financial security, let alone wealth. (Reno Gazette Journal)

‘Flying’ electric ferry may debut on Lake Tahoe by 2026; one-way rides $50

A “flying” electric ferry may start skimming across Lake Tahoe next year. California-based FlyTahoe and Swedish tech company Candela plan to launch a 30-passenger ferry with tech that uses principles similar to those in aviation. The vessel is designed to transport up to 300 people a day. (Reno Gazette Journal)

‘People are trapped’: Will high home prices, interest rates continue in 2025?

The trend will likely continue in 2025, according to Brian Bonnenfant, project manager for the Center for Regional Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno. (Reno Gazette Journal)

As ‘smart cities’ tools grow nationwide, so do privacy and ethical concerns

Tech tools aimed at making the roads safer and more efficient amass a large amount of data, and some data privacy experts worry about how that data could be handled. (Nevada Current)

More revelers to ring in ’25–LVCVA anticipates 343K visitors with hotel occupancy near 95 percent

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and Harry Reid International Airport are projecting more New Year’s Eve visitors this year than last, despite New Year’s Eve 2023 falling on a Sunday and this year’s falling on a Tuesday. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Salt tram towers being repaired–Structures toppled by national park visitors

The National Park Service has started a project to stabilize a group of 113-year-old wooden towers inside Death Valley National Park. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Carter funeral service set for Jan. 9 at Washington National Cathedral

Former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral at Washington National Cathedral will be Jan. 9, featuring a eulogy by President Joe Biden and culminating more than a week of ceremonies and honors, organizers said Monday. (Las Vegas Sun)

Tesla Cybertruck explodes outside Trump Tower Las Vegas, one dead

A Tesla Cybertruck exploded Wednesday outside of the Trump Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada, in what officials are calling a “possible act of terror.” (Autoblog.com)

Milestones to give A’s something to build on

The entitlement process is in the early stages between the A’s and Clark County for the $1.75 billion ballpark, which will be built on 9 acres of the 35-acre Tropicana Las Vegas site. But work remains to have that ready to go for the groundbreaking on the project to begin. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Tourism chief talks monorail’s future, another Super Bowl and convention attendance

The Las Vegas Monorail has been transporting passengers in the Resort Corridor for the past two decades. The 3.9-mile system stops seven times between the Sahara and MGM Grand. It carries an average of about 10,000 daily passengers to conventions, sporting events, shows and more without clogging traffic on the Strip. (Las Vegas Sun)

In 2024, artificial intelligence was all about putting AI tools to work

If 2023 was a year of wonder about artificial intelligence, 2024 was the year to try to get that wonder to do something useful without breaking the bank. (Las Vegas Sun)

Metro, FBI probing possible link between Tesla explosion in LV and New Orleans massacre

Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill called the apparently intentional New Year’s Day explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside Pres.-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel an isolated incident, but says law enforcement is investigating any connection with a suspected terrorist incident that killed at least 15 and injured dozens hours earlier in New Orleans. (Nevada Current)

The man who died in a Tesla Cybertruck explosion was an active-duty U.S. Army Green Beret

The person who died when a Tesla Cybertruck packed with explosives burst into flames outside President-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel was a highly decorated U.S. Army Green Beret who deployed twice to Afghanistan, officials said Thursday. (The Nevada Independent)

2024 was a big year for gaming companies with court cases

While most Southern Nevada’s casino and gaming equipment manufacturing companies relished a profitable 2024, many also found themselves in courtrooms more often than they wanted. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Culinary strike continues at Virgin, and other gaming news

The Culinary Union strike that started on Nov. 15 is still underway, coming after months of negotiations over a new contract for Virgin’s non-gaming Culinary members. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Monthly passenger traffic down 2.1% at Las Vegas airport

The lighter-than-last-year level of arrivals for the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix in November had a big impact on domestic flights, but international stays strong. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Monstrous CES technology show opening in Las Vegas

The city’s largest audited annual trade show, sponsored by the Consumer Technology Association, begins its four-day run Tuesday with media previews and pre-show events running Sunday and Monday. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Some answers, more questions–Authorities seek motive for bombing

At a news conference, Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill said Matthew Livelsberger, 37, shot himself in the head Wednesday morning seconds before his rented Tesla Cybertruck exploded, injuring seven bystanders at the resort near the Strip. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Small snail big issue for mine –Drop in groundwater for lithium site could endanger tiny pyrg

Opponents of the nation’s largest lithium mine under construction want U.S. officials to investigate whether the project in Nevada already has caused a drop in groundwater levels that could lead to extinction of a tiny snail being considered for endangered species protection. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

November visitation edges up–Most other tourism indicators down from ’23

Visitation to Southern Nevada was up less than 1 percent in November, but most other tourism indicators were down from a year ago, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported late Tuesday. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Caseworkers coax homeless out of city’s tunnels for treatment

Street medicine providers and homeless outreach workers who travel into the tunnels said they had noticed an uptick in the number of people living underground as housing costs had skyrocketed and local officials had adopted a zero-tolerance approach to homelessness. (Las Vegas Sun)

Neena Laxalt, veteran lobbyist who hailed from storied Nevada political family, dies at 67

Though newspapers detailed Laxalt’s political decisions, she was better known in the Legislature as a mentor and “legend.” (The Nevada Independent)

Nevada legal cannabis sales keep dropping; industry blames illicit market 

The state’s legal dispensaries logged $829 million in taxable sales in the fiscal year that ended in June. Sales have fallen each year since peaking in fiscal year 2021. (The Nevada Independent)

Election News

Deal set for ADA compliance at polls –Clark County to pair with state DOJ office

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada and the Clark County Election Department have entered into an agreement to resolve a compliance review that found physical barriers at polling sites during the June primary, the office announced Monday. (Las Vegas Sun)

Legislative Updates

Important Dates

First Day of Legislative Session         February 3^rd                Days Until: 31

• Check out the 973 bill draft requests that have been submitted up until now–BDR List.

• Bills from the 83^rd Legislative Session – to date: 209 bills

This cocktail might become Nevada’s official state drink

Assemblyman Bert Gurr, R-Spring Creek, is sponsoring a bill draft request designating Picon Punch as the official state drink to commemorate the Basque heritage of the state. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

5 new laws that take effect in 2025 in Nevada

Five new laws taking effect include a tax exemption for diapers to a prohibition on the purchase of drones made by Chinese military companies. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Price-gouging ban, longer recess on deck for 2025 legislative session

With more than 1,000 bills reviewed during each 120-day session, the 200-some measures drafted so far are a fraction of what lawmakers will consider in 2025.

Six new Nevada laws take effect in 2025 — what’s in them?

Measures to end the subminimum wage for disabled employees and the diaper sales tax that passed as a ballot question are among the new laws. (The Nevada Independent)