SB 83 authorizes Nevada to issue $19 million in state bonds from an existing $100 million bond authorization (approved in 2009 and extended to 2030) to fund specific environmental projects in the second phase of the Lake Tahoe Basin's Environmental Improvement Program. The bill directly affects the Lake Tahoe Basin ecosystem and Nevada taxpayers (via bond repayment), as it directs funds toward projects aimed at preserving the region's water quality, forests, and wildlife habitats. Key provisions include requiring the issuance of this specific bond amount and permitting the use of interest earned on bond proceeds to support the program. This is not a new initiative but a step to fulfill Nevada's previously committed share of costs for the long-term Tahoe environmental program, with no new state fiscal impact.
AB 439 amends Nevada law to modify restrictions on public agencies and law enforcement purchasing drones or related equipment. It allows purchases from entities previously banned if the agency verifies all data collected (photos, recordings) is stored exclusively in the U.S. and inaccessible to foreign third parties, and the purchase complies with federal law. The bill also requires public agencies to register all operational drones with the Department of Public Safety, report annual usage, and restricts drone use to specific public purposes like fire services or search-and-rescue. It updates prohibited vendor lists to align with federal designations from the Department of Defense. The law is now effective (Chapter 317, signed June 5, 2025).
AB 454 requires all public and private high schools in Nevada to maintain accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) during school days and athletic activities, and mandates that coaches, managers, and other staff associated with school sports complete training on AED operation. It also requires schools to develop specific emergency action plans for responding to serious athletic injuries, including identifying responsible personnel, medical providers, and emergency procedures. Additionally, the bill expands existing requirements to mandate CPR certification and first-aid training for all coaches and staff involved in school athletic activities. These provisions directly affect every high school in Nevada, aiming to improve emergency response during sports events.
AB 418 requires Nevada counties and incorporated cities to adopt ordinances mandating that kennel owners, animal rescue organizations, and businesses handling animals (like breeders, pet groomers, or retailers) complete annual animal handling training. These businesses must renew the training every two years. Exceptions include equine-only businesses, veterinarians, and animal shelters. The law aims to standardize handling practices for animals in commercial settings, with local governments setting the specific training requirements.
SB 346 updates Nevada's guardianship laws to better support adults with disabilities by strengthening the use of supported decision-making agreements (SDMAs). It defines SDMAs for legal purposes, expands the definition of "incapacitated" to include people unable to understand SDMAs, and requires courts to consider SDMAs before appointing guardians. The bill mandates that guardianship petitions include proof of SDMA education for the proposed protected person and that physicians assess whether someone understands SDMAs. It also requires guardian reports to explain why SDMAs aren't used and allows guardianship termination if a protected person enters an SDMA.
SB 246 requires certain health insurance plans to allow women to access covered gynecological or obstetrical services without first getting a referral from their primary care physician. It applies to health plans covering small employer employees, fraternal benefit societies, managed care organizations, public employee benefits, and Medicaid. The law, effective January 1, 2026, mandates this change by adding a provision to insurance contracts, making any conflicting terms void. It does not permit designating an OB/GYN as a primary care physician. This is a policy change to streamline access to specific reproductive health services under existing coverage.
AB 556 creates a new Beneficiary Advisory Council within Nevada's Medicaid system to advise on the experiences of Medicaid recipients. The bill requires the Council to include at least four current or former Medicaid recipients or advocates, and mandates quarterly meetings. It also renames the existing Medical Care Advisory Committee to the Medicaid Advisory Committee, adds requirements for 25% of its members to also serve on the Council, and increases its meeting frequency to quarterly. These changes align Nevada's advisory structures with federal regulations (42 C.F.R. § 431.12) without altering Medicaid eligibility or benefits.
AB 406 requires public schools to post mental health resources online and hold quarterly mental health education assemblies for students. It bans public schools from using artificial intelligence to perform counseling duties related to student mental health and prohibits unlicensed individuals from claiming expertise in mental or behavioral health care. The bill also deems absences for mental health reasons (including bullying, bereavement, or mental distress) as approved, credits these absences toward attendance requirements, and prevents denial of credit/promotion for students meeting academic standards despite such absences. These changes directly affect public school students, staff, and mental health providers in Nevada.
SB 464 enacts Nevada's participation in the Interstate Mining Compact, an agreement between states to coordinate on mining regulations and environmental protection. The compact requires Nevada to establish a program for conserving mined lands and protecting natural resources, including measures to prevent pollution and restore land affected by mining. It creates an Interstate Mining Commission with one Nevada commissioner (appointed by the governor) and representatives from other participating states, which will study mining impacts, make recommendations, and share information to address issues like land restoration and pollution. This bill does not change existing Nevada mining laws but provides a cooperative framework for states to work together on shared mining challenges.
AB 160 creates the Nevada-Ireland Trade Commission to strengthen economic ties between Nevada and Ireland. The nine-member commission (appointed by Senate/Assembly leaders and the Governor, including a higher education representative) must study trade opportunities, promote business/academic exchanges, and make annual recommendations to the Governor and legislative leaders. It will operate through a dedicated funding account in the State General Fund, allowing grants and donations for its activities. The bill directly affects Nevada's economic development efforts and facilitates formal collaboration with Ireland on investment, infrastructure, and mutual economic growth.
SB 114 requires landlords managing properties with over 200 dwelling units on a single parcel to implement two key policies: (1) conduct criminal background checks for job applicants who would handle apartment keys, and (2) create written procedures for securely storing, issuing, and tracking all apartment keys. Landlords must also maintain a log of key issuance and return, and provide proof of compliance to the Real Estate Division or law enforcement upon request. This bill directly affects large-property landlords (excluding financial institutions and real estate brokers) by adding specific background check and key management requirements to their operations.
SB 379 regulates solar financing companies that provide loans, leases, or power purchase agreements for residential solar systems (distributed generation systems). It prohibits financiers from charging excessive fees, requires them to verify solar installers hold proper licenses, and mandates clear disclosure of loan terms. Consumers gain extended rescission rights (3 business days for under 60, 10 days for 60+), and financiers cannot disconnect systems for single missed payments. The law also bans deceptive advertising and requires specific recordings for transactions, becoming effective after Governor approval on June 5, 2025.
