Have you heard about the handful of good bills that survived a major deadline in our Nevada legislature last week? While about 300 bills met their demise, these pro-freedom measures are still alive and kicking. If you’re like me and believe in smaller government and more freedom, you’ll want to grab your coffee and hear about these wins.
Protecting Free Speech for Charities
Assembly Bill 197 is a big win for non-profits and charities across our state.
The bill stops government from getting its hands on donor and volunteer lists of non-profit groups. It “requires the Secretary of State and other government entities from divulging information about donors or members/volunteers who work for nonprofits” and “would prohibit agencies from requesting personal information about donors and people who work with nonprofits.”
Why does this matter? When government can track who gives to what causes, it creates a chilling effect on free speech. People fear being targeted for supporting unpopular views. This bill puts up a shield between private giving and government snooping.
Critics argue transparency is needed to prevent corruption, but the Constitution protects our right to support causes without fear of government harassment.
Sound Money Gets a Boost
AB359 would remove sales tax from precious metals like gold and silver coins and bullion. Currently, Nevada taxes these items, but only five states in the country still do this.
Most states recognize that taxing gold and silver makes no sense if you consider them money rather than just a product. As one source puts it, “NPMEX is required to collect tax on some items shipping to Nevada, however sales tax will not be charged for Gold, Silver, Platinum or Palladium coins or bullion items used as mediums of exchange as they are exempt from sales tax when shipping to a Nevada address.”
If this bill passes, it would encourage more coin businesses to open in Nevada, bring coin conventions to our state, and recognize the importance of sound money in an age of inflation.
The bill’s opponents don’t want to give up any tax revenue, but the long-term benefits to our economy far outweigh the small loss in taxes.
Relief for Small Business Owners
Senate Bill 240 would cut business license fees in half for small operations, dropping from $200 to $100 for businesses with fewer than 50 employees. The bill “aims to cut the business license fee in half for small businesses in Nevada. If passed, the fee would drop from $200 to $100 for businesses with 50 or fewer employees.”
Think about it – for a struggling small business owner, that $100 savings might seem small to big government folks, but it could help pay for needed supplies or equipment. This change would start in July 2025 if approved.
Fee reductions like this show Nevada is moving in the right direction by making it easier to do business in our state.
Some worry about lost government revenue, but shouldn’t we be thinking about the job creators first?
Student Data Protection
SB445 takes a good step toward protecting our children’s data privacy. The bill requires the State Department of Education to transfer student data to the State Library Division one year after graduation, where it must be destroyed after 10 years.
In today’s digital world, guarding against the misuse of personal data is critical. Our kids’ information shouldn’t follow them forever or end up in the wrong hands.
Critics say the data is needed for research, but the privacy of Nevada families should come first.
Insurance Exchange and Health Records Bills Improved
Two potentially problematic bills have been gutted and improved. SB97, which would have allowed illegal aliens to purchase subsidized insurance on the Silver State Insurance Exchange, has been modified and that controversial provision is gone.
Similarly, SB250, which would have created a central repository for all medical records, has been gutted to remove the health repositories. This preserves the privacy of your medical information.
What You Can Do
If you value limited government and personal freedom, here’s how you can help:
- Contact your legislators to express support for these bills
- Attend committee hearings in person in Carson City or Las Vegas
- Submit comments through the legislature’s website
Remember that staying informed is the first step toward protecting our freedoms. Bills like these might not make flashy headlines, but they quietly protect our rights from government overreach.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
