(Nevada Policy) – The legislative session keeps moving forward, and we’ve been busy analyzing, tracking, and testifying on key bills that will impact Nevada. Below, you’ll find a recap of the bills we testified on this week, as well as new legislation we support, oppose, and are keeping an eye on.
For a full breakdown of the session, don’t forget to check out our Bill Tracker, where you can find summaries, updates, and our official positions on major bills.
This Week’s Testimonies
❌ We opposed AB 303
This bill expands public works regulations to include publicly funded broadband, telecommunication, and fiber optic projects, requiring contractors to comply with prevailing wage laws and additional reporting requirements. This change increases taxpayer-funded labor costs by extending prevailing wage mandates to more industries.
This bill reduces the initial state business license registration fee to $100 for businesses with 50 or fewer employees, down from $500 for corporations and $200 for other businesses. This change aims to ease the regulatory burden on small businesses in Nevada.
AB 376 – This bill establishes a regulatory sandbox for insurance product innovation, allowing insurers to test new products for high-value real estate without being burdened by rigid regulations. By streamlining approval processes and providing flexibility, the program encourages competition and innovation while maintaining consumer protections. It also allows insurers to implement rate changes while awaiting approval, reducing regulatory delays and fostering a more dynamic insurance market.
SB 253 – This bill increases transparency in education by requiring annual rankings of the top-performing schools and teachers in Nevada. It also provides much-needed funding for charter school facilities, ensuring that tax revenue from each county benefits local charter schools rather than being solely allocated to traditional public schools. By recognizing top educators and improving charter school infrastructure, this bill promotes school choice and rewards excellence in education.
SB 318 – This bill prevents charter schools from contracting with educational management organizations (EMOs), limiting their ability to outsource operational services. By restricting these partnerships, the bill reduces flexibility and creates unnecessary barriers for charter schools, ultimately limiting options for Nevada families.
AB 390 – This bill grants task workers who use online platforms the right to organize, collectively bargain, and form unions, significantly expanding labor regulations in the gig economy. By placing task workers under the authority of a newly renamed Labor Relations Board, the bill imposes union-style employment structures on independent contractors, limiting flexibility and innovation in the sector. These new mandates could drive up costs for consumers, restrict opportunities for workers seeking flexible jobs, and stifle the growth of gig-based businesses in Nevada.
SB 324 – This bill makes it illegal to sell or distribute disposable plastic bottles (up to 4 liters) in any community near the Lake Tahoe Watershed. So, if you were planning to buy that 4-liter bottle of water for your next adventure, better rethink it! If passed the Attorney General’s office will be on the case, inspecting properties and ensuring no plastic bottle is sold.
That’s all for this week! Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, check out our Bill Tracker for the latest legislative developments.
