Nevada Legislature Adjourns After Busy 83rd Session
The 83rd regular session of the Nevada Legislature concluded in the early hours of Tuesday, marking a chaotic end filled with significant legislative activity. Lawmakers wrapped up just after 12:30 a.m. after a sprint to finalize numerous bills.
Among the key legislation sent to Governor Lombardo’s desk are impactful measures addressing various state needs. Notable among these is Lombardo’s housing initiative, aimed at tackling affordability issues, alongside Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro’s education reform bill. "Reba’s Law," focusing on stricter penalties for animal cruelty, also made the cut, highlighting lawmakers’ commitment to animal welfare.
A landmark bill requiring businesses with over 50 employees to offer 12 weeks of paid family leave was approved, a major step toward improving employee rights. Additionally, the legislature allocated a substantial $183 million for attainable housing projects.
Voters can expect new identification requirements in upcoming elections due to legislation passed by Democratic Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, countering previous assurances to maintain voting accessibility. Yeager’s proposal to reintroduce ballot drop boxes during the final days of voting was also revived.
In their final duties, legislators passed a crucial budget bill, authorizing up to $1.1 billion in bonds for public works projects, essential for state development over the next two years.
However, the session was not without conflict; Republicans contested changes to the legislative commission, leading to delays that impacted some of the governor’s proposed bills on health care and crime, ultimately resulting in their failure. A controversial expansion of the state’s film tax credit program also did not survive the deadline.
Governor Lombardo now has ten days to act on the approved measures, shaping Nevada’s legislative and social landscape in the months ahead.
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