AB 409 revises Nevada's special license plate program to include veterans of the U.S. Space Force and their families. It requires the DMV to issue these plates to Space Force veterans (and their spouses, parents, or children), expanding eligibility beyond existing military branches like the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. The bill also allows holders of personalized prestige license plates to combine them with military service plates by paying additional fees. This change directly affects Space Force veterans and their immediate family members seeking these specialized plates.
AB 336 modifies Nevada's State Purchasing Act to allow businesses that qualify as both Nevada-based (principal place of business in Nevada or majority goods produced in Nevada) and veteran-owned with service-connected disabilities to receive a combined 10% bid advantage instead of separate 5% preferences. It also eliminates the "inverse preference" mechanism that would have discounted bids from out-of-state businesses if other states favored their own businesses over Nevada firms. These changes affect all state agencies purchasing goods or services under the Act. The bill simplifies preference combinations while removing a reciprocal discount provision.
SB 175 modifies Nevada law to ensure military members and veterans can more easily become licensed educators. It requires school districts to count certification as a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) instructor - held by active military members or veterans - as valid credit toward teaching licenses or endorsements. The bill expands existing rules that previously only applied to veterans’ Joint Services Transcripts by specifically including JROTC instructor credentials in the list of recognized qualifications. This change directly affects military-affiliated individuals seeking teaching roles in Nevada public schools.
AB 569 allocates $421,134 from the State General Fund to the Department of Veterans Services for specific equipment and vehicle replacements at Nevada's veterans cemeteries. The bill funds: $67,187 for utility vehicles and a truck at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery; $34,390 for a mower at the same site; $120,000 for security equipment there; $194,935 for a dump truck and tracked loader at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery; and $4,622 for a video conference system. All funds must be spent by September 17, 2027, with unused balances reverting to the State General Fund. This is a straightforward appropriations bill with no policy changes, directly affecting cemetery operations at two state facilities.
AB 243 creates a new $20,000 property tax exemption (adjusted annually for inflation) for Nevada Gold Star Spouses - defined as surviving spouses of Nevada residents who died while on active military duty. This exemption applies to the first $20,000 of a home’s assessed value, similar to existing exemptions for disabled veterans but specifically for Gold Star spouses. The bill also allows recipients to redirect the exemption amount to veterans’ home gift accounts in Southern or Northern Nevada. It requires proof of eligibility, including a military casualty report showing Nevada as the service member’s home of record, and includes provisions for annual renewal. The bill passed unanimously in both legislative chambers in 2025.
AB 350 requires cemetery authorities to obtain a court order before disinterring or removing human remains, replacing previous authority held by cemetery boards or governmental entities. It also removes county commissioners' power to set cemetery maintenance rules, instead mandating specific actions by cemetery owners to maintain order. Additionally, the bill expands eligibility for veterans' cemeteries to include National Guard reservists and veterans receiving VA commemorative items, requiring new fees for interment and markers under these criteria. These changes directly affect cemetery operators, veterans' families, and local government oversight of burial sites.
SB 117 requires Nevada's Department of Veterans Services to share existing materials about military discharge upgrades with all veteran service agencies statewide. It specifically ensures LGBTQ+ veterans and their families can access clear information on changing their discharge status or narrative reason. The bill mandates that resource centers providing veteran services receive these materials to streamline assistance. This expands current outreach without creating new programs, making discharge upgrade support more consistently available.
AB 281 revises Nevada's compensation rules for state militia members injured, disabled, or killed while on active duty. It changes the benefit calculation so members or their dependents now receive compensation equivalent to federal military benefits (under Title 10 or 32 of U.S. Code) rather than the previous state-based formula. The bill specifically applies to Nevada National Guard members and reservists activated by the governor, ensuring their benefits align with federal standards for similar military service. It also clarifies that state benefits don't apply if the member is already receiving federal compensation for the same injury or death.
SB 325 requires counties and cities with animal shelters (or nonprofit shelters operating under contract) to create a program waiving adoption fees for veterans, law enforcement officers, and first responders. The program applies to pets aged 6+ months that have been in the shelter for at least 7 consecutive days, with one waiver per eligible person within a 6-month period. Shelters must verify the adopter’s status, maintain records, and report adoption data to local governments, which then submit annual reports to the Department of Veterans Services. The bill mandates these programs take effect by October 2026 and requires the Department to compile annual reports for the Legislature.
AB 305 limits healthcare providers to charging no more than $10 for filling out forms required by employers under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). It directly affects employees taking FMLA leave for their own serious health condition, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, or caring for a veteran/Armed Forces member with a serious injury. The bill prohibits providers from charging more than $10 for these specific certification forms, which employers may require for qualifying leave. This is a straightforward fee cap with no fiscal impact on state or local governments.
