Environment (Wildlife)

signed · Nevada · Assembly Jun 3, 2025

AB 59: Revises provisions relating to governmental administration. (BDR 45-300)

AB 59 revises Nevada's wildlife laws to expand game wardens' authority and strengthen protections for wildlife. It changes game wardens' enforcement role from a mandatory duty to a discretionary power, allowing them to enforce all state laws while performing wildlife duties. The bill broadens the prohibition against intentionally feeding wildlife to cover all wild mammals and game birds (not just specific big game), adds a new ban on possessing animal excrement or bodily fluids, and increases civil penalties for unlawfully killing a moose to $5,000-$30,000 - matching penalties for trophy big game mammals. These changes directly affect game wardens, wildlife managers, and residents who interact with wildlife in Nevada.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands wildlife protections by broadening feeding prohibitions, banning animal excrement possession, and strengthening game warden enforcement for conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

in committee · Nevada · Assembly Jun 3, 2025

AB 9: Revises provisions relating to water. (BDR 48-391)

AB 9 modifies Nevada's rules for temporarily converting agricultural water rights. It extends the maximum duration for such conversions from 3 to 5 years (with 5-year extensions) and gives the State Engineer new authority to deny applications or limit durations if conversions don't serve public interest or wildlife goals. The bill also prohibits approving conversions for groundwater rights after 4 consecutive years of nonuse and exempts water rights under specific federal or state conservation programs from forfeiture rules. These changes directly affect agricultural water right holders and the State Engineer, who now has more oversight over temporary water use.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly protects wildlife goals via State Engineer authority to deny conversions and prohibits groundwater nonuse, aligning with conservation and resource protection indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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signed · Nevada · Assembly Jun 6, 2025

AB 486: Makes various changes related to transportation. (BDR 35-678)

AB 486 increases the fee on new tires from $1 to $2 per tire. Tire sellers must collect this fee, send 95% of it to the state for the Solid Waste Management Account, and split the remaining 5% between the Wildlife Crossings Account and administrative costs. The Wildlife Crossings Account funds projects like wildlife overpasses or underpasses to reduce animal-vehicle collisions and protect migration routes. This affects tire sellers, purchasers, and state transportation projects focused on wildlife safety. The bill directly changes how tire fees support wildlife crossing infrastructure.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates 5% of tire fees to Wildlife Crossings Account funding conservation projects like wildlife overpasses to protect migration routes and reduce collisions.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds wildlife crossings (transportation safety infrastructure) via tire fee revenue, directly advancing transportation safety projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management Wildlife

signed · Nevada · Assembly May 28, 2025

AB 132: Revises provisions relating to water. (BDR 48-586)

AB 132 revises Nevada's water law to expand exemptions for wildlife guzzlers - structures that collect rainwater for animals. It increases the maximum guzzler capacity from 20,000 to 40,000 gallons and extends the maximum pipe length from 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile. The bill requires these systems to be developed by wildlife management agencies (or with their consultation), approved by the Department of Wildlife, and not conflict with existing water rights. This change directly affects state/federal wildlife agencies and private entities managing guzzlers for wildlife use.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands wildlife water access infrastructure (guzzlers) to support habitat conservation, requiring agency oversight without weakening water rights or environmental protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

signed · Nevada · Senate Jun 11, 2025

SB 15: Revises various provisions relating to governmental administration. (BDR 30-464)

SB 15 modifies several Nevada administrative laws without creating new programs. It allows Clark County (and cities in counties with endangered species funds) to use conservation fees for habitat conservation plans and adjust fees for inflation starting in 2026. The bill also updates office hours for county treasurers (requiring them to stay open until at least 5 p.m.) and revises tax delinquency notice deadlines to align with business hours. Additionally, it removes a requirement for school district officials to report to county governing bodies and updates procedures for franchise applications. These changes primarily affect county officials, conservation programs, and tax administration processes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllows conservation fees for habitat conservation plans, directly advancing environmental protection efforts through funding reallocation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

signed · Nevada · Assembly May 29, 2025

AB 194: Prohibits the release of certain balloons that are lighter than air under certain circumstances. (BDR 15-338)

AB 194 prohibits intentionally releasing, organizing, or causing the release of 10 or more helium or hydrogen-filled balloons (lighter-than-air) within a 24-hour period. It directly affects event organizers or individuals planning large balloon releases, such as celebrations or promotions. Violations carry a $250 civil penalty per balloon over the limit, recoverable by the Attorney General or local prosecutors. Exemptions include hot air balloons (if recovered), research balloons, and balloons released indoors. The law aims to reduce public safety risks from mass balloon releases, which can cause hazards like power outages or wildlife harm.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits mass balloon releases, reducing plastic pollution and wildlife harm, aligning with environmental protection goals.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

signed · Nevada · Senate Jun 6, 2025

SB 83: Requires the issuance of bonds for environmental improvement projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin. (BDR S-376)

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $19M bond allocation from existing funds for environmental projects, directly funding ecosystem preservation via budget appropriation.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates $19M in bonds for Lake Tahoe Basin environmental projects targeting water quality, forests, and wildlife habitats per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Water Quality Wildlife

in committee · Nevada · Assembly Jun 3, 2025

AB 87: Makes an appropriation relating to wildlife crossings. (BDR S-390)

AB 87 appropriates $5 million from the State General Fund to the Wildlife Crossings Account for designing, constructing, and marking new wildlife crossings and related highway features. It directly affects Nevada's highway infrastructure planning and wildlife conservation efforts by funding projects to improve animal movement across roads. The bill creates no new regulations but provides specific funding to enhance wildlife permeability on state highways. This appropriation is separate from the executive budget and becomes effective upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $5M from State General Fund for wildlife crossings infrastructure, directly funding public infrastructure projects through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildlife crossings to protect wildlife and enhance habitat connectivity, directly supporting conservation efforts per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds wildlife crossings on highways, enhancing transportation infrastructure safety and planning through direct appropriation for highway features.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife Roads & Highways

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in committee · Nevada · Assembly Jun 3, 2025

AB 85: Authorizes the management of designated invertebrates. (BDR 45-229)

AB 85 expands Nevada’s wildlife management to include "designated invertebrates," such as non-pest species identified in the State Wildlife Action Plan as needing conservation. It revises the definition of "wildlife" to explicitly include these invertebrates and creates a new classification for them under the Board of Wildlife Commissioners. The bill requires designated invertebrates to be listed as "fully protected" species when necessary, prohibiting their capture or harm without a permit, and applies existing wildlife fees and penalties to violations involving them. This directly affects the Department of Wildlife, the Board of Wildlife Commissioners, and anyone interacting with these protected invertebrates.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly protects designated invertebrates by requiring 'fully protected' status, prohibiting harm without permits, aligning with conservation and wildlife protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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