A Law That Backfired: How Nevada’s Cage-Free Mandate is Driving Egg Prices Up
Nevada’s 2021 law requiring the sale of only cage-free eggs has run headfirst into an avian flu crisis, causing egg prices to skyrocket and supplies to dwindle.
Now, state lawmakers are scrambling to mitigate the damage.
What’s Happening?
Just about everyone buys eggs, so it’s no surprise that higher prices haven’t gone unnoticed in Carson City.
Back in 2021, a Democrat-majority legislature passed a law requiring that all eggs sold in Nevada be from cage-free hens, making Nevada only the ninth state to enact such a mandate. They claimed it was about improving animal welfare.
But now, with millions of egg-laying chickens culled due to bird flu, supply is down, and prices are through the roof. The same lawmakers who pushed the mandate are now trying to hit pause on their own law.
Democratic Assemblymember Howard Watts has authored Assembly Bill 171 (AB171), which would suspend the cage-free rule for up to 120 days—twice a year if necessary. AB171 is co-authored by Democrat Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager.
Both Watts and Yeager voted to pass the 2021 law, with Watts chairing the committee that wrote the bill.
Egg prices in NV. Ds pass cage free law. Price of eggs goes up . Ds suggest a freeze on law they passed. Arsonists ( NV Ds) proposing to put out the fire .
— Guy Nohra (@GuyNohra) February 10, 2025
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Egg prices are skyrocketing. Since 2022, over 156 million birds nationwide have been wiped out due to avian flu, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The result? Egg prices jumped 36.8% from December 2023 to December 2024, and they’re projected to rise another 20.3% this year.
Nevada businesses are feeling the pain. Comma Coffee, a popular café near the Legislative Building, has added a $1 surcharge to every egg dish just to keep up with costs. Even Waffle House, a breakfast staple in some regions of the US, has started charging an extra 50 cents per egg due to the crisis.
The Real Lesson Here
Laws like the cage-free mandate sound good on paper, but they don’t always work in the real world. The reality is, that when the government forces businesses to comply with costly regulations, consumers pay the price.
This is exactly what conservatives warn about—big government overreach leading to unintended harm. Instead of letting the free market determine supply and demand, politicians tried to force an outcome, and now we’re all paying for it—literally.
Critics and Their Take
Some supporters of the cage-free law argue that the avian flu is the real culprit, not the mandate. They say the problem would exist no matter what, and the law is still important for animal welfare.
But critics point out that while bird flu is a factor, it doesn’t change the fact that cage-free eggs already cost 30–40% more than conventional eggs. The mandate only made it worse by forcing retailers to sell only the most expensive option.
AB171: A Temporary Fix or More Government Meddling?
Proponents argue that this temporary rollback will provide much-needed relief for consumers and businesses struggling with high egg prices. However, critics see it as a band-aid solution that fails to address the root problem—government overreach and economic mismanagement.
By attempting to micromanage the market, lawmakers created a crisis and are now trying to claim credit for a temporary fix.
What Can Conservatives Do?
- Push for Permanent Reform – Instead of just pausing the rule, lawmakers should rethink the entire policy.
- Support Market Solutions – Let stores sell both cage-free and conventional eggs so consumers can choose what works for their budget.
- Hold Lawmakers Accountable – Remember which politicians caused this mess in the first place and vote accordingly.
Nevadans deserve policies that respect both economic freedom and common sense. This is a prime example of why big government mandates often create more problems than they solve.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
