May 23, 2025
Today is the deadline for bills to pass out of their second house of the Legislature. With the June 2 constitutionally mandated end of session looming, there are roughly 100 bills that must pass out of their second legislative house today or die. Governor Joe Lombardo received Senate Bill 451 (SB451) from the Nevada State Legislature, and he signed it into law. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the “No Tax on Tips Act,” put forth by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and cosponsored by two Democrats: Nevada Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto. Federal spending cuts proposed by President Donald Trump, including $33 billion from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, would be devastating to Nevada, social services providers and local officials warn. These stories and so much more below.
Legislative Updates
Corporate filings court proposed
Assembly Joint Resolution 8 seeks to expand Nevada’s legal infrastructure and cut into Delaware’s dominance in the corporate filings market. It proposes amending the Nevada Constitution to establish a special court dedicated to cases involving shareholder rights, mergers and acquisitions and other business-related matters. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Race on for passage of bills on time
The end is near.
Legislators are burning the midnight oil in Carson City, pushing through hundreds of bills. Last week marked the major second committee passage deadline, and there is one more major deadline between now and the final day of the session on June 2. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Checking in on the Nevada Legislature: What’s on death watch and what’s still kicking
The Nevada State Legislature has only a fortnight remaining before it must gavel out, which means it’s crunch time for the hundreds of bills still trying to make it to Gov. Joe Lombardo’s desk. (Nevada Current)
Antitrust Act, medical aid in dying, study of water use fees among bills that failed to advance
The Nevada State Legislature’s latest deadline brought an unsurprising end to a “medical aid in dying” bill Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo had promised to veto. The bill was one of 31 declared dead Friday. (Nevada Current)
Lombardo proposes converting underperforming schools to charters in his education bill
In today’s edition, a look at Gov. Joe Lombardo’s proposals to increase school accountability and expand school choice. (The Nevada Independent)
What’s in the 5 Nevada budget bills of the 2025 legislative session?
With less funding available because of a projected decrease in state revenues, lawmakers can’t pass increases to education funding or state worker pay raises similar to those in 2023. (The Nevada Independent)
New Nevada boards and commissions bill strikes back at Lombardo-backed streamlining effort
In today’s edition, B&I big mad about new boards and commissions bill, whether it matters who gets credit for bills and a new proposal to cutting back on the number bills introduced. (The Nevada Independent)
As culture wars flare at libraries, Nevada lawmaker seeks to move book ban decisions to courts
The bill would limit the power of local library staff and trustees to remove books, instead tasking courts with deciding whether materials are truly “obscene.” (The Nevada Independent)
Lawmakers advance proposal to cap insulin costs at $35 per month
Assembly Bill 555, sponsored by Speaker Steve Yeager, would prohibit private insurance companies from charging people more than $35 for a 30-day supply of a prescription insulin drug. The Senate and Assembly committees on commerce and labor in a joint meeting heard the bill Wednesday and immediately advanced it. (Nevada Current)
As culture wars flare at libraries, Nevada lawmaker seeks to move book ban decisions to courts
The bill would limit the power of local library staff and trustees to remove books, instead tasking courts with deciding whether materials are truly “obscene.” (The Nevada Independent)
2025 Lombardo Veto Tracker: Bipartisan ballot drop box bill rejected
The Nevada Independent is tracking all of Gov. Joe Lombardo’s vetoes stemming from the 2025 legislative session, on the heels of a 2023 session when he blocked a record-breaking 75 bills. (The Nevada Independent)
Live Updates: The Nevada Legislature’s 2025 second house deadline
There are about 100 bills that must pass out of their second house on Friday to meet the deadline. Nevada lawmakers are heading into Friday’s second house passage deadline with dozens of bills queued up for a vote as the end of the 120-day session nears. (The Nevada Independent)
Rollout of new pay, classification system for Nevada workers likely paused
The state’s precarious budget situation has left legislators focused on maintaining existing programs. The rollout of the new pay and classification system likely would cost between $35 million and $40 million. (The Nevada Independent)
New Nevada boards and commissions bill strikes back at Lombardo-backed streamlining effort
In this edition of Behind the Bar: Does it matter who in the Legislature gets the credit? Plus: Exemptions to IVF, and charter funding drama. (The Nevada Independent)
Lombardo signs tax extensions–Will help fund police salaries, road projects
Gov. Joe Lombardo signaled his approval of two Southern Nevada tax extensions that would keep revenue sources in place for police officers’ salaries and road infrastructure projects in Clark County. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Lawmakers advance proposal to cap insulin costs at $35 per month
Tens of thousands of Nevadans could pay less each month for insulin if lawmakers approve a proposed out-of-pocket cap on commercial insurance plans, according to the state Division of Insurance. (Nevada Current)
Bill seeks to ensure full refunds when utilities overcharge customers
Lawmakers are looking to pass a law that would require utilities to fully refund energy customers who are overcharged, closing loopholes that have allowed utilities to withhold full refunds from wronged customers. (Nevada Current)
State’s food banks pan $5 million bill to tell people where food is
The state’s food banks are wary of legislation that seeks to allocate $5 million for a program proponents say is designed to reduce food insecurity and waste. (Nevada Current)
Updates from the Governor’s Office
Statement from Governor Lombardo on Senate Bill 451
“I signed Senate Bill 451 because it maintains essential funding for police officers in Southern Nevada,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “Without this legislation, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) would lose nearly 25% of its police force, which would be an untenable loss for law enforcement and deeply detrimental to the safety of Clark County and its millions of residents and visitors. SB451 is not a new tax or a tax increase, and the extension of this voter-approved measure is critical for ongoing public safety efforts in Southern Nevada.” (gov.nv.gov)
State and Local Government Updates
Washoe County Republicans expel Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson over Sen. Rosen support
The Washoe County Republican Party overwhelmingly passed a resolution Monday night to kick out Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson, saying it no longer recognizes him as a Republican. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Michele Fiore blocked from returning to job as Nevada judge by discipline board
A Nevada judicial discipline board voted unanimously May 19 to block Republican firebrand Michele Fiore from returning to her job as a Nye County judge. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Homeless sweep starts Tuesday–Clearing of wash detailed at emotional neighborhood meeting
A task force of first responders and county workers will begin to clear out a Las Vegas wash of its homeless population early Tuesday and go into an underground area they’re generally not allowed to fully enter because of unknown, dangerous conditions, according to officials. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
CCSD passes budget of $4B–Sum of funding from state unclear
At a special meeting, Interim Chief Financial Officer Diane Bartholomew and Chief Strategy Officer Kellie Kowal-Paul gave a presentation to the board on its projected final budget. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
County uses projects fund to plug budget gap–$56M offsets sales tax revenue drop, ‘slowdown’
Clark County commissioners voted to dip into a fund for capital projects to close a projected $56 million general fund budget deficit through June 2026 as the county struggles to maintain services in the face of declining sales tax revenues and an economic slowdown. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Judge weighing motion to intervene–NRA, NGC want Kalshi suit ended
A U.S. District Court judge says he’ll move quickly to determine whether the Nevada Resort Association can intervene in a lawsuit filed by a New York-based prediction market that threatens to bring “seismic” changes to Nevada’s sports-betting industry. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
The Boring Company is expected to ramp up its Vegas Loop expansion following the opening of multiple offshoots from the Las Vegas Convention Center to neighboring resorts. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
States telling sheriffs whether they can work with ICE
Local sheriffs are on the front lines in deciding whether to participate in the Trump administration’s mass deportation plans. But states increasingly are making the choice for them. (Las Vegas Sun)
Plan for displaced tunnel dwellers not included in flood control project
Hours before Clark County began removing unhoused people from tunnels under the Flamingo Wash, Clark County Commission Chair Tick Segerblom told nearby residents they might see an influx of people experiencing homelessness in their neighborhoods. (Nevada Current)
A decade after marijuana legalization, is it time for Nevada casinos to revisit hands-off policy?
In this week’s Indy Gaming, discussion surrounds the relevance of an 11-year-old cannabis-casino memorandum. Also, Stevens quiets new resort speculation. (The Nevada Independent)
Wynn agrees to settle anti-money laundering violation, pay $5.5 million fine to Nevada regulators
Wynn joins Resorts World and MGM in paying multimillion-dollar fines to casino regulators for allowing unregistered cash transactions. (The Nevada Independent)
A’s, county agree on steps if ballpark goes unfinished
The Athletics and Clark County are set to enter into a performance agreement to govern the steps to be taken if the MLB team starts construction on its planned ballpark but doesn’t end up finishing. (Las Vegas Sun)
Las Vegas budget deficit $110M–Badlands settlement affects 2-year operations
The Badlands settlement, a downward economic trend and increased contributions to city employee benefits are contributing to a projected two-year deficit of $110 million to Las Vegas’ general fund through fiscal year 2026, according to officials. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
School budget bill not perfect—Passes Senate, but with GOP protest
Republican lawmakers took a stand against Nevada’s education budget in a vote Wednesday, protesting the roughly $12.4 billion appropriation bill’s lack of raises for public charter school teachers. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
A’s stadium performance agreement approved
The performance agreement between the A’s and Clark County was approved by the county commission as part of the routine action items section of Wednesday’s zoning meeting. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Proposed cannabis reform could open Resort Corridor to new revenue source
Cannabis-friendly state legislation involving the Resort Corridor may offer a crucial opportunity for Las Vegas’ ability to attract visitors amid projected shortfalls, a gaming executive says. (Las Vegas Sun)
Nevada judicial panel suspends pardoned judge with pay after fraud case
The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline has suspended Justice of the Peace Michele Fiore with salary, replacing an earlier suspension without pay that followed her conviction on federal fraud charges. (Las Vegas Sun)
Credit issuance probe at new site—Now investigation of Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau Las Vegas is under investigation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board for the issuance of credit to gamblers that may have violated Bank Secrecy Act anti-money laundering practices. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Wynn Resorts Ltd. fined $5.5M–Settles failure of money laundering compliance
The Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday fined Wynn Resorts Ltd. $5.5 million to settle a complaint, the third major fine against a Strip property for failed oversight of illegal gambling this year. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Money laundering probe at Fontainebleau mistakenly disclosed by Gaming Commission
An inadvertent leak at Thursday’s Nevada Gaming Commission meeting revealed Fontainebleau, the newest resort on the Las Vegas Strip, is under investigation by gaming regulators. (Nevada Current)
Federal Government Updates
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the “No Tax on Tips Act,” put forth by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and cosponsored by two Democrats: Nevada Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto. (Las Vegas Sun)
The long road to lower drug prices
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday aiming to significantly reduce prescription drug prices in the United States — the latest chapter in a decadeslong struggle to control pharmaceutical costs that burden American consumers. (Las Vegas Sun)
Republican debt hawks vote ‘present’ to let Trump’s big bill move forward
U.S. House Republicans on the Budget Committee moved the “one big, beautiful” reconciliation bill a step closer to the chamber floor in a rare Sunday night vote after a handful of conservatives blocked the bill Friday. (Nevada Current)
Nevada homelessness, housing crisis will only get worse under Trump budget plans, providers warn
Federal spending cuts proposed by President Donald Trump, including $33 billion from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, would be devastating to Nevada, social services providers and local officials warn. (Nevada Current)
Homeland Security secretary gets definition of habeas corpus upside down
WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Tuesday was grilled by senators on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee about funding estimates for a barrier along the southern border, as well as concerns about the Trump administration’s adherence to due process in immigration enforcement. (Nevada Current)
Rosen gets Senate to pass no tax on tips using unlikely procedural maneuver
Rosen took to the Senate floor to ask the upper chamber to pass the bill — originally authored by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) — on its own using a procedural tool called unanimous consent that requires all 100 senators to agree. (The Nevada Independent)
Lands amendment pulled–Nevada’s Amodei frustrated his 93,000-acre sale excised
Rep. Mark Amodei’s amendment to sell more than 93,000 acres of public land in Nevada has been scrapped from the House reconciliation bill. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Amodei-backed Nevada public land sales removed from GOP budget bill
Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) made the case publicly and privately to fellow Republicans that large-scale divestment from public lands was a “red line” for him, even calling the issue his “San Juan Hill.” (The Nevada Independent)
Cortez Masto and colleagues grill Trump’s IRS nominee over nonexistent tribal tax credits
Senators tasked with tax writing split along party lines Tuesday praising and grilling former Republican U.S. Rep. Billy Long of Missouri, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Internal Revenue Service, the agency tasked with enforcing the largest source of U.S. revenue as the country faces record debt and interest costs. (Nevada Current)
Lombardo 1 of 7 GOP governors not signing letter to Trump in praise of ‘big beautiful bill’
Republican governors gush over Trump’s big, beautiful bill — but not Lombardo. Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo is one of only a few Republican governors who didn’t sign a letter sent to Donald Trump offering heaping praise and “united” support of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” (Nevada Current)
Nevada’s congressional delegation voted on party lines on the massive GOP budget bill that will enact President Donald Trump’s agenda, which passed early Thursday morning in a 215-214 vote. (Las Vegas Sun)
Republican governors show Trump support–Lombardo not part of letter of praise for bill
An open letter from Republican governors told President Donald Trump they were “UNITED in strong support” of his sprawling tax and spending bill moving through Congress — but Nevada’s governor was not among the signatories. (Las Vegas Sun)
Election News Updates
Catalist’s What Happened reports offer a comprehensive voter-file based view of the electorate after every major presidential and midterm election. (Catalist.com)
A Comprehensive New Data Analysis Into Why Harris Lost in 2024
After every major presidential and midterm election, the Democratic data firm Catalist releases a comprehensive analysis of the composition and partisan leanings of the electorate. (The Cook Political Report)
Fired Henderson police chief to run for mayor
Flanked behind more than two dozen supporters in front of Henderson City Hall, Chadwick fielded questions from reporters about her reasons for running and pledged to bolster transparency and strengthen public safety, as well as support local small businesses and improve educational opportunities and school safety. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Johnson launches candidacy for Nevada’s state treasurer
“As Nevada State Treasurer, I will vigilantly safeguard taxpayer funds, ensure complete transparency in our financial operations, and advocate tirelessly for economic growth,” Johnson said in a Thursday statement announcing his candidacy. (Las Vegas Sun)
Articles of Interest
What state has the most mobile homes? See where Nevada ranks.
Clearly, mobile homes are an integral part of Nevada culture.
However, according to United States Census Bureau data, as of 2022 Nevada ranked in middle of the pack for mobile home living. ( Reno Gazette Journal)
IRA cuts have clean energy advocates concerned about growth of Nevada industry
After a lengthy lobbying blitz, Republicans’ approach veered more toward a gutting of the bill — phasing out key credits and hampering the ones that have been preserved — rather than a more fine-tuned one. (The Nevada Independent)
ACLU sues CCSD over graduation gear policy–Student fears discipline for ‘representing culture’
The ACLU and high school senior Corie Humphrey filed a lawsuit against CCSD in District Court on Friday over what it said is the school district’s unconstitutional and inconsistent enforcement of what students can wear at graduation. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
More than two decades after first announcing the concept of developing a new airport south of Las Vegas, the federal agencies overseeing the process are beginning an environmental review for the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport plan. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Climate change worries Nevada–Residents’ take on par with nation, poll shows
In the state with the nation’s two fastest-warming cities, most residents believe in climate change and think officials should do something about it, new polling has found. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Lake Mead in for a painful summer after dry winter
Lake Mead’s infamous bathtub ring is expected to get bigger this summer as low snowpack levels in the Rocky Mountains choke the reservoir’s biggest source of water – the Colorado River. (Nevada Current)
NV Energy CEO leaving amid utility overcharging episode
Doug Cannon, president and CEO of NV Energy for the last six years, is leaving the post to join American Electric Power Transmission, according to a news release. The company has joint ventures with NV Energy owner Warren Buffett. (Nevada Current)
Reno named No. 5 emerging data center market in the world just behind Abu Dhabi
Reno’s hot data center sector is gaining recognition as a new report has named it among the world’s top emerging markets for data centers. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Tui chub extinction possible with mine–Fish likely to be listed endangered
A lithium mine could contribute to the extinction of a fish species in southwestern Nevada, the federal government acknowledged Tuesday in a document recommending its protection. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Report: Food insecurity on the rise in Southern Nevada
Nearly 1 in 6 Southern Nevadans is struggling to put food on the table, according to a newly released national report. (Las Vegas Sun)
Batting cleanup: A’s Badain, family, tidy trail–Team president joins Adopt-A-Trail project
Marc Badain, president of the Athletics, and his family are eager participants in the new Adopt-A-Trail program, where volunteers, rangers and community members host quarterly cleanups at the Willow Spring and La Madre Spring trails. Badain was previously the president of the Raiders and oversaw the team’s relocation to Las Vegas. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Nevada fish could soon be on endangered list
Federal protections could soon be extended to a rare Nevada fish that environmentalists say is “barely clinging to existence” because of rapid groundwater pumping in a remote region experiencing extreme drought conditions. (Las Vegas Sun)
Gaming companies seek workarounds to manage tariff challenges
Lessons learned during the pandemic are helping game developers and casino operators weather the fast-changing cost outlook. (The Nevada Independent)
Joshua trees symbolize the Southwest. Without federal protection, they could go extinct.
Joshua trees, a symbol of the desert Southwest, face threats ranging from development to wildfires to a warming climate. For a decade, conservation groups have lobbied for them to be listed as endangered, and a recent court decision asks the federal government to once again consider protections. (The Nevada Independent)
LV population growth doubles national average
Southern Nevada’s population swelled in recent years, outpacing other metro areas across the country, new data shows. (Las Vegas Sun)
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