The G3Wire

May 16, 2025

Today, May 16, marks the 103^rd day of the Legislative session and Committee Passage (Second House) deadline. Nevada Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager is proposing the state tap into the Rainy Day Fund to provide additional pay for public school district teachers in hard-to-fill positions, citing the success similar funding provided two years ago had on the Clark County School District. Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) is expecting fireworks this week as three House committees are slated to markup President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful” budget bill. A draft released over the weekend from the Energy and Commerce Committee includes work requirements for Medicaid recipients, and in an effort to save money, changes how states raise their portion of Medicaid funds. These Nevada news links and lots more below.

Legislative Updates

Charter schools poised to again divide Nevada lawmakers in session’s final weeks

A debate on charter school teacher raises bubbled to the surface last week after legislators approved a budget without the pay hikes. (The Nevada Independent)

Top Dem backs away from universal pre-K, but seeks stricter rules on charters, CFOs

This edition of Indy Education dives into a major education bill by a top Democratic lawmaker and proposed legislation to legalize teacher strikes. (The Nevada Independent)

Lawmakers forge ahead with film tax credits bill, precarious economic outlook notwithstanding

Lawmakers appear open to advancing a proposal that would greenlight $1.8 billion in tax breaks to the film industry over 15 years because the proposal would give nothing away in the upcoming two years. (Nevada Current)

Bill inspired by Oct. 1 Las Vegas shooting aims to ease chaos for victims’ families

A proposal advancing through the Nevada Legislature is designed to expedite victim identification, family reunification and delivery of long-term support services by requiring counties to establish electronic databases for mass casualty incidents. (Las Vegas Sun)

Could a business court help Nevada compete with Delaware?

An effort to cut into Delaware’s dominance in the corporate filings market by expanding Nevada’s legal infrastructure is moving through the Nevada Legislature. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

More pre-K, more accountability: What’s in Nevada Democrats’ education bill?

Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro’s EDUCATE Act would set up a board to oversee school districts and would let some trustees object to charter school placements. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Teachers union looks to lawmakers to allow court-authorized strikes, reform arbitration process

The Clark County teachers union is pushing legislation to speed up the arbitration process and allow teachers to petition in district court to allow them to legally go on strike. (Nevada Current)

Formerly incarcerated push reforms aimed at curbing recidivism

Organizers with the Mass Liberation Project traveled to Carson City this month to back a suite of legislation that includes  a pathway for incarcerated people working as firefighters to be hired after they are released, a bill to make record sealing easier for the formerly incarcerated, and a “second look” bill that would allow review of long sentences.  (Nevada Current)

For legislation to retire water rights, political support is ample. Funding, not so much.

After years of setbacks, a program that would authorize the sale and permanent retirement of water rights over the next decade in order to reduce groundwater overuse in the driest state in the union is moving forward.  (Nevada Current)

Teens take on antisemitism–Cohen, 15, DeLee, 14, lobby for definition in state law

Ethan Cohen, 15, a sophomore at Meadows School, and Meyer DeLee, 14, a freshman at Las Vegas Academy, said in an interview they were inspired to bring up what became Senate Bill 179 after seeing local examples of the rise in antisemitism since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023.  (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Shooting survivors advocate for commonsense reform

In the wake of that tragedy and the Oct. 1, 2017, massacre at Las Vegas’ Route 91 Harvest Festival known as America’s deadliest mass shooting, survivors like Cespedes-Alvarado are now urging Nevada’s state lawmakers to pass a set of four gun control bills before the current legislative session ends June 2. (Las Vegas Sun)

How lawmakers may avoid program cuts even though revenue projections are down

In this edition of Behind the Bar, we explore a lag in bill signings and a rent control bill that’s moving forward despite high-profile pushback. (The Nevada Independent)

Middle ground elusive in debate over proposed pet store ban 

Politicians, government officials, animal activists, and shelter operators pleaded Tuesday with state lawmakers to advance legislation that would prohibit the retail sale of pets in Nevada, while pet store owners warned the measure would put them out of business. (Nevada Current)

Nevada legislative leaders talk state economy, relationship with Lombardo

Nevada’s Democratic legislative leaders said that communication with Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo has improved, while top Republican legislators appeared open to supporting legislation capping insulin at $35 monthly under private insurance. (The Nevada Independent)

Lombardo health care bill to target provider shortage, insurance authorization process

The governor’s bill, set to be introduced less than a month before the end of session, also bans noncompete clauses for health care providers. (The Nevada Independent)

Speaker proposes tapping Rainy Day Fund for extra pay for teachers in hard-to-fill positions
Nevada Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager is proposing the state tap into the Rainy Day Fund to provide additional pay for public school district teachers in hard-to-fill positions, citing the success similar funding provided two years ago had on the Clark County School District. (Nevada Current)

Lombardo’s bill seeks to fix what ails Nevada health care 

Gov. Joe Lombardo is predicting success for his Nevada Health Care Access Act, which was introduced at the Legislature on Thursday. The measure is designed to increase Nevada’s health care workforce, reduce disparities in care for rural residents, and cut red tape. (Nevada Current)

Police oppose bill meant to encourage sex workers to call 911 if they are victims of crime

A recent survey of sex workers in Nevada found nearly all lack confidence in the criminal legal system and feel law enforcement doesn’t take sexual assault allegations seriously. (Nevada Current)

For legislation to retire water rights, political support is ample. Funding, not so much.

After years of setbacks, a program that would authorize the sale and permanent retirement of water rights over the next decade in order to reduce groundwater overuse in the driest state in the union is moving forward. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Lombardo set a veto record in 2023. Can Nevada lawmakers avoid a repeat?

What’s at stake on deadline day, how likely a veto onslaught is and a push to end solar scams. (The Nevada Independent)

After death penalty repeal failures, Nevada looks to triple pre-execution wait time

SB350, which passed out of the state Senate in April on a party-line 13-8 vote with Republicans opposed, would lengthen the time frame to carry out an execution after a judge issues a judgment of death. (The Nevada Independent)

IndyTalks: Nevada legislative leaders talk state economy, relationship with Lombardo

Nevada’s Democratic legislative leaders said that communication with Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo has improved, while top Republican legislators appeared open to supporting legislation capping insulin at $35 monthly under private insurance. (The Nevada Independent)

Lombardo health care bill to target provider shortage, insurance authorization process

The governor’s bill, set to be introduced less than a month before the end of session, also bans noncompete clauses for health care providers. (The Nevada Independent)

State and Local Government Updates

‘Beholden to the mine’: Does rural Nevada depend on mines’ goodwill to foot hidden costs?

While coming large-scale lithium mines and their future employees will bring revenue and jobs to rural Nevada communities hungry for an economic jolt, they’ll also bring growing pains. (The Nevada Independent)

Ford joins suits over withholding of funds–Argues states threatened over immigration

According to the complaints, both Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have threatened to cut off funding to states that refuse to comply with President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Former head of Nevada Equal Rights Commission sues state, alleging retaliation

Kara Jenkins, who was fired last year, argues her termination was unlawful and tied to her refusal to provide confidential information to an auditor. (The Nevada Independent)

Nevada, other states sue Trump administration over conditions placed on federal funds

The lawsuits say that the Trump administration is violating the U.S. Constitution by trying to dictate federal spending when Congress has that power. (The Nevada Independent)

Allstate, CSAA auto insurance rates to rise in May

Two major auto insurers are raising rates starting in late May, affecting almost 150,000 Nevadans.

Allstate and CSAA, a AAA insurer, have been approved for rates changes by the Nevada Division of Insurance. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

CCSD may vote on $5M AC plan–37 schools face desert heat with old systems

The Clark County School Board could vote on a proposal to pay more than $5 million to repair its heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, a move the school district hopes will help avoid the overheated classrooms of last summer. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Unemployment claims in Nevada declined last week

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Nevada dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. (Reno Gazette Journal)

GSR arena hopes for tax-increment financing approval amid rising construction costs

A potential new home for Wolf Pack men’s basketball, big-name concerts and athletic events is reaching a critical phase in development — the project has to win approval for a funding mechanism and overcome rising construction costs due to the ongoing international trade war. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Federal Updates

How women have been affected by Musk-led federal layoffs

Women and people of color are among those most affected by cuts to federal agencies, according to a new analysis from the National Women’s Law Center. (The Nevada Independent)

Cortez Masto reintroduces legislation to reimburse ambulance services

Medicare reimbursement rates for basic life support services in rural areas went from approximately $382 in 2019 to $448 in 2024, an inflation rate adjustment of 3.5%. (Nevada Appeal)

FTC’s ‘junk fee’ rules take effect on resort, ticket pricing

The Federal Trade Commission’s bipartisan “junk fee” rules took effect Monday giving consumers new protections against fees in short-term lodging and the live-event ticketing. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

To reach Latinos, some Democrats pivot to talk more about the economy and less about immigration

Democrats have long focused on immigration when courting Latino voters in states like Arizona, Nevada, New Jersey, and Florida, where generations of Mexican, Cuban and other Latin American immigrants have settled and gained permanent legal status. (Nevada Current)

House Republicans target clean energy rollbacks, threatening Nevada programs

House Republicans are making strides in reversing the energy provisions in former President Joe Biden’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act’s in their budget reconciliation efforts, vying to halt funding for programs that were promised to create thousands of jobs for Nevadans. ( Neveda Current)

U.S. House GOP mandates Medicaid work requirements in giant bill slashing spending

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans plan to debate and approve the three final pieces of their “big, beautiful bill” in committee this week, including the tax measure, major spending cuts to Medicaid that will change how states run the program and an agriculture bill. (Nevada Current)

‘Big, beautiful bill’ puts SNAP at risk by forcing states to pay for it

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s portion of Republicans’ massive taxes and spending bill would partially shift to states the costs of the country’s largest food assistance program, which some experts and Democrats predicted will lead to major cuts in the program — and possibly even an end to it in some states. (Nevada Current)

Horsford predicts more ‘WTF’ moments as House committees take up Trump budget bill
Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) is expecting fireworks this week as three House committees are slated to markup President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful” budget bill. A draft released over the weekend from the Energy and Commerce Committee includes work requirements for Medicaid recipients, and in an effort to save money, changes how states raise their portion of Medicaid funds.  (Nevada Current)

EPA terminates $20 million Walker River Paiute Tribe water infrastructure grant

The Environmental Protection Agency has terminated a $20 million grant that would have funded the construction of critical water and energy infrastructure on the Walker River Paiute Tribe reservation in Northern Nevada. (Nevada Current)

GOP budget includes ‘no tax on tips’, fulfilling Trump promise, NV Democrats want more details

House Republicans’ budget mega-bill includes a provision to end the taxation on tips through the end of President Donald Trump’s term — fulfilling his campaign promise made in Las Vegas and backed by Nevada Democrats, who are still likely to oppose the budget bill for its other cuts. (The Nevada Independent)

‘Junk fees’ rule perplexes–Just 3 days in, new FTC policy causes some head-scratching

The Federal Trade Commission’s new rule about disclosing “junk fees” on short-term lodging and live-event ticketing events has been in place for only three days, but it has already generated confusion. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

GOP bill that would kick an estimated 10.3 million people off Medicaid or CHIP passes House panel

The U.S. House panel in charge of overhauling Medicaid by cutting hundreds of billions in federal spending wrapped up debate on its bill Wednesday, following a 25-hour session. (Nevada Current)

Election News Updates

Surveying the 2026 House challengers in Las Vegas

For four straight election cycles, Republicans have come up empty in the three Las Vegas-area House seats. (The Nevada Independent)

Nevada Democrats push for first-in-nation primary status, citing diverse population

DES MOINES, Iowa — Before they can name their next presidential nominee, Democrats will have to decide which state will weigh in first. (Las Vegas Sun)

Before they name a 2028 nominee, Democrats will have to decide which state will weigh in first

Democrats will pick their next presidential nominee in 2028, but before that happens, the party will have to decide which state gets to go first on the nominating calendar. (The Nevada Independent)

State treasurer Conine to launch 2026 attorney general campaign

Conine, who moved to Nevada more than two decades ago and previously worked in hospitality and finance, was elected as treasurer in 2018. (The Nevada Independent)

Conine’s next bid: Become state AG–State treasurer eyes Ford’s replacement

Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine announced Wednesday that he plans to run for state attorney general in 2026. “Nevadans deserve an Attorney General who will fight every day to protect their rights, ensure equal justice under the law, and stand up to powerful interests when they threaten our communities,” Conine said in a statement. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Articles of Interest

NV Energy projects will connect all parts of Silver State

Construction of perhaps the largest power substation in the world is underway at NV Energy’s Fort Churchill substation near Yerington. (Nevada Appeal)

Las Vegas man gets 46 months for threatening Sen. Rosen

A Las Vegas man who threatened U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., was sentenced to nearly four years in prison today, the Department of Justice said. (Nevada Current)

Tourism board plans for marketing spending boost

Las Vegas’ tourism board is planning to boost spending on marketing and sales for the upcoming financial year in the face of slipping room tax revenue and gaming fees. (Las Vegas Sun)

‘They are in the ground’: Drilling at A’s site–Ballpark foundation work gets underway

Work on the Athletics ballpark site is starting to show progress a month after initial grading began on the site of the future $1.75 billion Strip ballpark. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Rental rates fluctuate in region–Henderson sees drop in April, while Vegas up

Rental rates are down in Henderson but up in Las Vegas, according to a new report.

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Henderson currently sits at $1,530 in April, a 1.3 percent drop from March and a 0.6 percent drop year over year, according to a new report from Zumper. In Las Vegas, rent for a one-bedroom apartment ($1,230) is up 2.5 percent from March and flat year over year. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

NV Energy overcharges at least 80,000 customers, scrimps on refunds

NV Energy, Nevada’s statewide electric utility, overcharged some 60,000 customers by more than $17 million, disconnected service to some, and attempted to rectify the mistake by offering six months’ worth of refunds that amount to a fraction of what customers overpaid. The company informed regulators late last month that it overcharged another 20,000 customers an undisclosed amount. (Reno Gazette Journal)

See the wealthiest Nevada counties in 2025, according to Smart Asset

SmartAsset has released its 2025 ranking of the wealthiest U.S. counties, and Nevada’s lineup saw some movement. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Reno median home sale price jumps in April, almost cracks $640,000 again

The city of Reno saw its median home price rise but unit sales were also down compared to last year. Sparks saw prices and sales go up. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Nevada among few states seeing rise in overdose deaths

Nevada saw a small increase in drug overdose deaths in 2024, bucking the national trend that showed the largest one-year decline ever recorded. (Las Vegas Sun)

Visit the Nevada town Tripadvisor named a top US travel destination for 2025: See rankings

Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best Destinations list, which recognizes fewer than 1% of the site’s 8 million listings, named Las Vegas the third-best travel destination in the country for 2025, placing it above the Florida Keys, Nashville and San Francisco. (Reno Gazette Journal)