Nevada legislators have started a special session to discuss several bills.
Governor Joe Lombardo issued a proclamation calling for a special session of the Nevada Legislature on Wednesday evening.
The special session started at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 13.
For agenda and additional meeting information: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/Calendar/A/
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In his proclamation, the governor said he was convening the special session to consider matters consistent with Senate Bill 194, Senate Bill 434, Senate Bill 457, Assembly Bill 238, and Assembly Bill 404 of the 83rd session of the Nevada Legislature, as well as Senate Bill 450 of the 82nd session.
The governor is also looking to revise Assembly Bill 600 of the 83rd session to remove some provisions he says violate the separation of powers doctrine.
He is also asking the legislature to consider legislation to address cybersecurity, creating a general assistance program, school zone traffic safety, the privacy of certain information for public officers, wages and hours, and consider certain appropriations.
Public Safety Bills and Support
Senate Bill 457 relates to public safety, revising provisions relating to assault, battery, stalking, pornography involving minors, domestic violence, sealing of criminal records, and driving under the influence of alcohol or a prohibited substance.
During the special session, Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks spoke in support of the Governor’s “Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act,” which revises public safety laws, juvenile justice, pretrial release, and opioid use disorder provisions under Assembly Bill 4. Hicks, who is also president of the Nevada District Attorneys’ Association, highlighted the Act’s goal to address serious and repeat criminal behavior and strengthen protections for victims.
“Nevadans deserve to feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, and schools,” Hicks said. “The Governor’s Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act is a responsible, common-sense approach to protecting our communities by addressing serious and repeat criminal behavior. It strengthens protections for victims, ensures accountability for offenders, and reflects the shared values of safety and fairness that unite Nevadans across the political spectrum.”
The Act includes measures to modernize stalking laws, expand domestic violence definitions, enhance enforcement of firearm surrender orders, prevent abusers of vulnerable populations from gaining positions of trust, combat thefts, strengthen DUI laws, and prioritize victim restitution.
Below is District Attorney Chris Hicks’ full introductory statement to the Assembly Public Safety and Security Committee.
Good afternoon, Chair Miller and Members of the Assembly Public Safety and Security Committee. My name is Chris Hicks, and I am the District Attorney of Washoe County, and current president of the Nevada District Attorneys’ Association.
Nevadans deserve to feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, and schools. The Governor’s Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act, which was first introduced in the 83rd legislative session, is a responsible, common-sense effort to protect our communities by addressing serious and repeat criminal behavior. By prioritizing accountability, victim protection, and public safety, this Act offers balanced reforms that reflect the values of Nevadans across the political spectrum.
This legislation strengthens protections for victims and ensures accountability for offenders in several important ways. It modernizes our stalking laws to include harassment and intimidation carried out through social media and expands the definition of domestic violence to include kidnapping and
attempt offenses—recognizing the many forms control and abuse can take. It enhances enforcement of firearm surrender orders, ensuring dangerous individuals actually comply with court directives intended to prevent further harm.
The Act protects vulnerable Nevadans by ensuring that those who abuse children or the elderly cannot have their records automatically sealed and later obtain positions of trust caring for those same populations. It targets “smash and grab” thefts, ensures appropriate accountability for possession of child pornography, and prioritizes victim restitution before court fines or fees.
It also takes steps to reduce violence in our classrooms by requiring evaluations for students who seriously harm educators, and it strengthens our DUI laws to better address the devastating impact of impaired driving.
These targeted measures are meaningful steps toward building safer streets and stronger neighborhoods in our State.
We are all here today because we serve the great people of Nevada, and a measure this important deserves to be completed. I’m grateful that this committee is willing to take it up again. Today is an opportunity for all of us to finish that work and move forward with reforms that will strengthen public safety in every corner of our state. I respectfully request your support.
Other Bills Under Consideration
Senate Bill 194 requires short-term vehicle lessors to require proof of certain insurance as a condition for the lease of a passenger car.
Senate Bill 434 creates the Statewide Health Care Access and Recruitment Program Account, providing for certain transfers of money out of the Account, and requiring a biennial assessment of the health care needs of the state.
Assembly Bill 238 relates to economic development, enacting the Nevada Studio Infrastructure Jobs and Workforce Training Act, requiring the Office of Economic Development to enter into a development agreement to establish certain criteria for the development of infrastructure for the production of motion pictures and other qualified productions and other new capital.
Assembly Bill 404 relates to alcoholic beverages, authorizing a person who operates a brew pub to engage in certain activities concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Senate Bill 450 relates to housing, establishing a program for the relocation of persons residing in single-family residences in the Windsor Park neighborhood of the City of North Las Vegas.
Assembly Bill 600 relates to the Legislative Department and clarifies that proceeds of sales of certain items approved by the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau must be deposited in the Legislative Fund.
In a statement, Nevada Assembly Democrats said they are ready to return to Carson City for the special session.
“Governor Lombardo has called us back to Carson City for a Special Session, but it’s important to remember one thing – the Legislature does not set the agenda for this Special Session," said Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager. "Instead, the Governor dictates the issues we are to address through his proclamation. The Assembly is here to ensure the legislation presented to us does, in fact, improve the quality of life for all Nevadans.”
To read the governor's proclamation in its entirety, click on the document below.
