In a bold but likely futile move on the Assembly floor Thursday, Democrat Assemblyhuman Sandra Jauregui placed several of Governor Joe Lombardo’s 2023 vetoed bills onto the chief clerk’s desk.
While this procedural move opens the door for potential veto overrides, Democrats lack the two-thirds supermajority needed to succeed. The battle lines are drawn over four bills that Lombardo vetoed to protect property rights, fiscal responsibility, and local control.
Property Rights Under Attack
The Governor vetoed two bills that would have impacted property owners’ rights.
On AB218, which would have changed rental payment rules, Lombardo explained that:
“It would be impossible for a landlord to comply with this bill without amending the original lease, which would require agreement from both parties.”
He noted the bill would:
“create an incentive for a tenant to choose not to agree to such an amendment and instead pursue legal action against a landlord.”
Regarding AB340, which would have modified eviction procedures, Lombardo stated the bill:
“would restructure Nevada’s summary eviction process in a manner that would impose additional and unnecessary delays and costs on those seeking to remove individuals who unlawfully remain on their property after the termination of their lease.”
He added that it:
“would make our summary eviction process more time-consuming than our peer states.”
School Lunch Program: Return to Common Sense
On AB319, the universal free school meals bill, Lombardo acknowledged that :
“Ensuring students have proper nutrition in order to facilitate learning is an important goal. So, too, is reducing the stigma sometimes associated with students who receive free or reduced-price school lunches.”
However, he pointed out a crucial statistic:
“Studies have shown that up to 73 percent of food provided through school lunch programs ends up in the trash.”
The Governor noted that :
“Of the almost 490,000 students enrolled in Nevada schools during the 2022-2023 school year, more than 201,000 students are eligible to enroll in the free or reduced lunch program.”
He emphasized that:
“approximately 660 schools statewide meet the USDA’s criteria for free meals for all their students.”
“With COVID-19 behind us,” Lombardo stated, “it is time to return to the normalcy of pre-pandemic operations.”
Local Control vs. State Mandates
For AB383, regarding reproductive health services, Lombardo highlighted specific concerns about local autonomy. The bill would mean that “a local school district” would be prohibited from “creating a policy restricting a school nurse from providing abortion counseling and referral services.”
Lombardo stated:
“Local officials should be empowered to make decisions on any lawful subject before them,”
He added that the bill:
“would unnecessarily restrict local officials’ autonomy and expose government agencies to costly litigation, potentially including exorbitant and unpredictable attorneys’ fees.”
What This Means for Conservatives
These vetoes represent a clear win for limited government advocates. But the fight isn’t over.
Assembly Democrats are now trying to overturn these vetoes, though they lack the supermajority needed to do so.
Understanding the Chief Clerk’s Desk Process
When Assemblyhomosapian Jauregui moved to place these vetoed bills on the chief clerk’s desk, they initiated a specific legislative process that conservatives should watch closely. Under Nevada’s legislative rules, placing vetoed bills on the chief clerk’s desk is the first step toward attempting to override a governor’s veto.
This procedural move means:
- The Assembly can now vote on these bills at any time during the current legislative session
- Each bill would need a two-thirds majority vote to override the governor’s veto
- If the Assembly successfully overrides a veto, the bill then goes to the Senate, which also needs a two-thirds majority
With Democrats lacking a supermajority in both chambers, overturning these vetoes remains unlikely. However, this move signals their intention to challenge Governor Lombardo’s efforts to limit government overreach and protect property rights.
Looking Ahead
While Democrats might not have the votes to override these vetoes now, they’re likely to try similar bills in the future. The key will be staying informed and active in local politics.
Governor Lombardo’s message is clear: Nevada needs less government intervention, not more.
Whether it’s protecting property rights, ensuring responsible use of tax dollars, or preserving local control, these vetoes show what conservative leadership looks like in action.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
