Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak released the following statement after the Nevada Legislature adjourned the 32nd Special Session which “addressed significant policy issues that could not wait until the regularly scheduled legislative session,” according to the Governor’s Office. This was the 32nd Special Session in Nevada’s history. As the final bills are transmitted to the Governor for signature, he says he intends to sign them into law.
“I want to thank the Nevada Legislature, the Legislative Counsel Bureau, state agencies, and all those who contributed to this Special Session, the second held this year. I applaud the hard work of everyone involved who acted swiftly to pass this much needed legislation protecting Nevadans.”
Legislation passed during this special session included criminal and social justice policy reform, safe and expanded mail-in voting, more flexibility to connect Nevadans to unemployment benefits, interventions to implement alternative dispute resolution measures for rental evictions, and measures to ensure Nevada’s businesses, with the exceptions of school districts and not for profit hospitals, are protected from COVID-19-related lawsuits if they follow certain virus mitigation protocols.
Gov. Sisolak called lawmakers into a special session on July 31, to address significant policy issues that “could not wait until the regularly scheduled legislative session.” This followed the 31st Special Legislative Session that ended on July 19 and specifically focused on addressing the historic shortfall in the State’s budget.
Three joint resolutions passed both houses of the Legislature that could ultimately change the way and amount mines are taxed in Nevada, AJR1, AJR2, and SJR1. The resolutions would change the system of net proceeds taxation that has been in place for some 150 years with a system of tax on gross proceeds of mineral extracted. Mining taxation rules are codified in the State Constitution, so the resolutions would have to pass another session of the Legislature and then go on the statewide ballot during the next general election.
The Governor, according to a press release, set the legislative agenda. He has already signed 3 bills into law:
- Assembly Bill 1, which ratifies certain technical corrections made to NRS and Statutes of Nevada.
- Assembly Bill 2, which revises and clarifies provisions relating to the Legislative Department of the State Government.
- Assembly Bill 4, which revises provisions relating to elections.
BILL SUMMARY:
Gov. Sisolak has signed three bills so far, is in receipt of four other bills from the Legislature and is awaiting Senate Bill 4, the final bill passed by lawmakers. Bills signed so far include:
In the coming days, the Governor plans to sign the additional bills, including:
- Assembly Bill 3, which makes various changes to public safety
- Senate Bill 1, which authorizes certain courts to grant a stay for certain evictions.
- Senate Bill 2, which revises provisions related to peace officers
- Senate Bill 3, which revises provisions relating to unemployment compensation.
- Senate Bill 4, which revises provisions related to public health.
