It's Soon to Be Go Time at the Nevada State Legislature

A recap of our recent reporting plus bonus content.

Jan 31, 2025

Pomp and ceremony should be taking place in Carson City starting Monday, marking the start of the biennial 120-day period to set the state’s budget and pass new legislation, which, last go round, felt the constant wrath of Joe Lombardo’s veto power with a record 75 rejections.

The Republican governor is in the last two years of his elected mandate, while Democrats failed to gain a hoped for veto defense in the 2024 elections, falling short of two-third supermajorities needed in both chambers for their own super power.

There are now 27 Democrats and 15 Republicans in the 42-seat lower house Assembly, and 13 Dems and eight GOP in the 21-seat Senate, the same as in 2023 for the upper house. The Dems lost a seat in the Assembly, but overall remain in clear control at our legislative state level.

More than 1,000 bills are expected to be introduced, but even before the strong veto possibility, committee hearings, amendments and votes can water these down, or eliminate them entirely.

Bills already making headlines include one from a Democrat and one from a Republican to take the state off daylight saving time. There’s also an ongoing north versus south competition to bring more movie making to the Silver State. Meanwhile, the Nevada Faculty Alliance is seeking a 5% cost of living raise for state employees, followed by a 3% increase in 2026.

In terms of Lombardo’s recommended $12.7 billion budget for 2025-27, with a proposal to add $1.3 billion to the state’s rainy day fund, to go along with raises for public employees and teachers, Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns of a sizable deficit in terms of the governor’s calculations.

This comes as Nevada’s constitution has a requirement for lawmakers to pass a balanced budget. Many elected Democrats have their own focus on education, but would also like to see more efforts to address access to housing and health care, while still keeping the overall budget afloat.

What would you like to see this upcoming session produce?