LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A total of 281 bills missed a Friday deadline to win committee passage in Carson City, the first major deadline at the Nevada Legislature this session. If that seems like a lot, consider that 875 bills are still alive.
One bill known as “Reba’s Law” got a quick reprieve on Monday as lawmakers scrambled to bring it back. That followed a public outcry that is rare at this stage. Other bills aren’t likely to get the same rescue, although they can be brought back from the heap in a number of ways.
We’ve told you about some of the bills that died: the Hotel Safety Act, the medical aid in dying bill and the Nevada lottery. But here’s a look at some others that missed the deadline:
Senate Bill 415 would have allowed law enforcement to install automated traffic enforcement cameras. The bill was supported by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, but opposed by the ACLU of Nevada. The ACLU issued a statement from executive director Athar Haseebullah regarding the bill:
“This bill was bad policy from the start. The deployment of red-light cameras is often framed as a matter of public safety, but in reality, most civil liberties abuses happen under the guise of public safety. Automated traffic enforcement systems, which raise significant constitutional concerns, are problematic tools used to generate revenue for the government on the backs of ordinary Nevadans, and other communities have paid out tens of millions of dollars in settlements based on faulty systems. From a practical perspective, the Legislature couldn’t exercise oversight of the data collected through these programs because it is not privy to every surveillance tool law enforcement has in its possession and how that data is used. We commend the Nevada Senate for not advancing this bill and encourage the Legislature to be mindful of the harms of automated traffic enforcement systems.”
The Culinary Union ripped Democratic leaders for killing the state lottery.
“When politicians talk about democracy being at risk, but block Nevadans from voting on something as straightforward as a state lottery, their words ring hollow. Actions speak louder than rhetoric,” according to a statement issued by the union.
“With federal cuts looming, uncertainty around the state budget, and lack of funding for education and mental health, Nevadans need real solutions and we need it now. Politicians cannot complain about budget shortfalls while refusing to even consider a bill that would bring in new revenue,” according to the union.
Nevada Republicans also criticized the Democrat-controlled Legislature for refusing to bring constitutional amendments to increase transparency to a vote. The amendments were authored by Republican Assem. Heidi Kasama.
“After years of scandals that have cost them the public’s trust, Democrats in our State Legislature are covering up their ethical failures and denying Nevadans the right to know what they are doing,” according to a news release from Better Nevada PAC.
Also left behind:
- AB195 would have required the Clark County School District to give nonvoting members the same duties, rights and responsibilities as the members of the board of trustees who are elected to the office.
- AB240 would have required certain schools and institutions of higher education to designate by sex the athletic teams and sports sponsored by the schools, along with a prohibition on male or female athletes from competing on teams designated for the other sex.
- AB293 would have created the state Office of Aerospace.
- AB311 would have prohibited an insurance company from refusing to provide coverage to a driver who works for a transportation network company. The bill would also require network companies to provide medical payments coverage and coverage involving uninsured/underinsured motorists.
- AB317 would have authorized cities and counties to establish a program to provide housing to help people experiencing homelessness.
- SB94 would have taken Nevada off Daylight Saving Time. But … AB81, sponsored by Democrat Selena La Rue Hatch passed, and it does the same thing.
- SB103 would have required mail ballots to be received on or before Election Day.
- SB184 would have banned the use of latex gloves in food establishments and health care settings.
- SB219 would have increased the penalties for organized retail theft. Rather than a 2-15 year sentence, the bill would have required a 3-30 year prison term, and a tripling of the fine, up to $30,000.
- SB223 would have increased the penalties for sex trafficking a child or helping someone sex trafficking a child.
- SB365 would have limited attorneys from collecting a contingency fee in excess of 20% of the amount recovered, except in state cases involving negligence in health care matters.
- SB392 would have imposed a state sales tax on digital products electronically transferred to a buyer. The tax would have required the facilitator to collect and remit the tax if sales were over $100,000.
- SB394 would have prohibited the sale of fireworks to anyone under the age of 18.
Next up: An April 22 deadline for bills to advance to the next house.
