The 2019 Nevada state legislature passed hundreds of laws, including 71 that take effect on January 1. Perhaps the most controversial is AB291, known as the "One October Bill". The law bans bump stocks and other modifications to semiautomatic weapons, creates criminal penalties for improperly storing guns when children could be present. It also lowers the legal blood alcohol limit to .08 to handle a firearm. That is the same limit for driving a car. The law will implement a red flag law, which allows police to seize a person's guns if they are deemed a danger to themselves or others.

Some changes are coming to our elections in 2020. People will be able to register to vote online, the Thursday before the election. They can also register in-person on election day. Voters can also go to any polling place within their county instead of their designated polling place.

Healthcare continues to be a hot topic, including in Nevada. One new law will allow anyone with a pre-existing condition to buy health insurance. Insurance companies will not be able to deny or restrict patients from getting coverage, and they will not be able to charge more for premiums, deductibles or copays. The Affordable Care Act already has this stipulation but if policy changes on the federal level, it will remain in place in Nevada.

Nevada is still adapting to the new legal marijuana industry. One law will make it illegal for companies to refuse to hire someone if their pre-employment drug screening tests positive for marijuana. Firefighters, EMTs, jobs that require operating a motor vehicle or that could affect the safety of others are exempt from the law.

Vaping products will now be taxed like tobacco products. They are also now part of the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act, which bans people from smoking in certain buildings like restaurants.

A couple of laws regarding affordable housing are taking effect. Developers can qualify for a tax credit if they begin construction or renovation of units for low-income residents. Qualifying residents of the Account for Low Income Housing will also be allowed to have pets as long as they comply with noise and sanitation standards, along with other criteria.

Another law will allow the Board of Wildlife Commissioners to establish a program that will allow big game hunters to transfer their tags under certain circumstances. If they can prove that they have extenuating circumstances like an illness or injury, they can transfer their tag to another qualifying big game hunter, defer the tag to the next season or return it for bonus points. They cannot sell it to someone else.

The legislature also passed a law that requires businesses to pay their employees for at least 40 hours of sick leave. Employees do not have to provide a reason and employers can limit the number of hours that carry over to the next year to 40 hours.

For a list of all of Nevada's new laws taking effect on January 1, follow this link: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/80th2019/Reports/EffectiveJanuary.cfm

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