Press Release: Call for Fiscal Note Reform in Nevada Legislative Process
Nevada – As the 84th legislative session approaches, advocacy for fiscal note reform is intensifying, highlighting the often-overlooked challenges bills face beyond the executive veto.
While Schoolhouse Rock famously illustrated how bills become law, it neglected to mention the various ways legislation can falter, particularly due to fiscal notes—documents that assess the financial implications of proposed bills. In Nevada, bills tagged with these fiscal notes frequently encounter insurmountable obstacles, often being relegated to Senate Finance or Assembly Ways and Means committees, effectively resulting in a “death row” for good policy.
Fiscal notes are crucial for understanding the potential budget impacts of new laws. However, they can also serve as political tools, enabling state agencies to inflate costs or justify opposition to certain bills, stifling legislative deliberation. For instance, Nevada System of Higher Education’s (NSHE) fiscal note on AB191, a bill intended to grant collective bargaining rights to public employees, exaggerated financial implications, ultimately leading to the bill’s demise.
Advocates argue that the legislative process must be reformed to empower elected officials, reduce executive branch power, and ensure thorough consideration of policies. Looking to neighboring Utah, potential reforms include banning agency influence over fiscal notes and enhancing legislative oversight in the process.
In summary, reforming fiscal note practices could enhance transparency and collaborative governance in Nevada, paving the way for more effective legislation.
Contact:
Amy Pason
Associate Professor, UNR
Chair, Nevada Faculty Alliance’s Government Relations Committee
(apason.bsky.social)
Ian M. Hartshorn
Associate Professor, UNR
Vice Chair, Nevada Faculty Alliance’s Government Relations Committee
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
