Governor says the state must keep asking if rules still make sense for families and business owners.
Nevada just took another swing at the rulebook. On August 17, Governor Joe Lombardo signed Executive Order 2026-003. It kicks off a fresh review of state regulations.
Think of it like cleaning out a garage that has not been touched in years. Some tools are still useful. Others are broken, outdated, or just taking up space.
This order tells every state agency to go through their own “garage” and figure out what still works.
Why This Matters To Conservatives
Limited government is not just a slogan. It is a promise that the rules citizens live under should be clear, necessary, and worth the cost.
Every regulation carries a price tag. It might be a permit fee, a delay, or a form nobody reads twice. When those rules pile up without review, small businesses and working families pay the bill.
This order builds on Executive Order 2023-003, which Lombardo signed early in his first term.
That first push led to more than 900 regulatory changes. That number shows what happens when a governor treats deregulation as an ongoing job instead of a one-time announcement.
“From the beginning of my administration, I have been clear that government should protect the public without creating unnecessary barriers for Nevada's families and businesses,” Lombardo said.
“Our first regulatory review demonstrated that we could eliminate outdated and burdensome regulations while maintaining important protections for Nevadans. Executive Order 2026-003 builds on that work and ensures we continue looking for ways to make government more efficient, accountable, and responsive.”
Today I signed an executive order launching a review of Nevada’s regulatory framework & continuing our efforts to make it easier to do business in NV.
It’s simple: Gov’t should protect the public without creating red tape for families and businesses.https://t.co/u5UyynZ0eD
— Governor Joe Lombardo (@JosephMLombardo) August 17, 2026
How The Process Works
The order does not just hand power to bureaucrats and hope for the best.
Every executive branch agency, board, and commission must hold a public hearing before October 29, 2026. Business owners, licensees, and everyday Nevadans get a seat at the table to say which rules are outdated or too heavy-handed.
After that, each agency has to write a report. That report must list between five and ten regulations recommended for change, ranked in order of priority.
If an agency hears a good idea from the public and does not use it, the report has to explain why. That kind of accountability is rare in government paperwork.
Reports are due to the Governor's Office by December 31, 2026.
“My goal is straightforward, Nevada should be one of the best places in the country to start, operate, and grow a business,” Lombardo said.
“That means regularly asking whether our regulations are necessary, whether they still make sense, and whether there is a better way to accomplish their purpose without unnecessarily burdening Nevadans. We made substantial progress in 2023, and this Executive Order is about continuing that work.”
What Happens Next
Once the reports land on the Governor's Office desk at the end of this year, the real work begins.
Starting in 2027, the administration will decide which recommendations become actual policy changes. That timing lines up with Nevada's next legislative session, since lawmakers only meet in odd-numbered years.
Expect this regulatory review to become part of the broader conversation heading into that session.
What Conservatives Can Do
Nevadans who care about limited government do not have to wait on the sidelines. Business owners and citizens can attend the public hearings scheduled before October 29 and speak up about rules that slow them down.
Anyone can also watch for the final reports in December and pay attention to which recommendations agencies choose to ignore.
Staying engaged now is how citizens make sure this review leads to real change instead of just another government report that sits on a shelf.
Read the full Executive Order: Executive Order 2026-003
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
