Veterans

AB 145 strengthens oversight of veterans' benefit assistance and expands state support programs. It requires anyone helping veterans file claims with federal or state agencies (like the VA or Nevada Department of Veterans Services) to be accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, with exceptions for unpaid help or when federal law already applies. The bill also creates a state Veterans Coordinator to manage two new programs: a veteran hiring initiative for state jobs (including spouses of veterans) and a peer mentor program for veterans employed by the state. Additionally, it extends free annual state park permits to surviving spouses, parents, or adult children of service members killed in action. These changes directly affect veterans, their families, state employees, and individuals seeking veterans' benefits.

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.

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 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.