Rep. Lisa Cole

Maddy summaryAB 326 updates Nevada's rules for designating hospitals as trauma care centers. It explicitly allows the State Board of Health to create a level IV designation for critical access hospitals that meet specific criteria, such as being located more than 80 miles from counties with multiple existing trauma centers. The bill requires hospitals to obtain official designation from the Administrator before claiming a specific trauma care level (I-IV), and mandates a needs assessment to ensure new centers address actual gaps in trauma care capacity. This affects hospitals seeking trauma center status, particularly rural critical access facilities, and clarifies standards for approval and designation.

Maddy summaryAB 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).

Maddy summaryAB 307 eliminates a 15% excise tax on wholesale cannabis sales (affecting growers and distributors) and increases the retail tax on cannabis products from 10% to 14.25% of the sales price. Revenue from the new retail tax must first cover costs for the Cannabis Compliance Board before any remaining funds go to the State Education Fund. The bill also removes obsolete provisions about valuing wholesale cannabis and updates funding sources for the Education Fund. This change may impact local government budgets, as noted in the fiscal report.

Maddy summaryAB 300 appropriates $750,000 from Nevada's State General Fund to the Evans-Kendall Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8071 for constructing a veterans and community center in Virginia City. The funds directly support the VFW Post in building a facility serving local veterans and community members. The bill requires the VFW Post to submit two spending reports (by December 2026 and September 2027) and mandates that any unspent funds revert to the state by September 17, 2027. This is a straightforward funding allocation with specific accountability measures, not a policy change affecting broader legislation.

Maddy summaryAB 274 requires Nevada's Secretary of State to waive the standard $200-$500 fee for state business licenses for three groups: (1) eligible veterans, (2) gold star family members (relatives of fallen veterans), or (3) businesses where at least 51% is owned by veterans or gold star family members. The waiver applies to licenses issued on or after July 1, 2025, and covers the initial license fee only (not local permits). This policy directly affects veterans, their families, and veteran-owned businesses seeking state-level licensing. The bill amends Nevada Revised Statute 76.100 to implement this fee exemption.

Maddy summaryAB 207 updates Nevada's rules for health insurers and health coverage organizations to report compliance with federal mental health parity and addiction equity laws (the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Act of 2008). It requires these reports to be submitted electronically via a national system (the System for Electronic Rate and Form Filing) instead of other methods, and clarifies that only personally identifiable consumer information in the reports is confidential. Insurers must submit reports by October 1 annually, and the Commissioner of Insurance must compile and share an annual summary with the legislature and relevant state officials by December 31. The bill directly affects insurers providing health coverage in Nevada that must comply with federal parity requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 82 requires Nevada's Governor to annually proclaim four specific cultural observances: Diwali Day (15th day of Hindu 8th month), Eid al-Fitr Day (1st day of Islamic 10th month), Vaisakhi Day (1st day of Sikh Vaisakh month), and Vesak Day (first full moon in May). The Governor must issue these proclamations each year, optionally encouraging media, educators, and leaders to highlight the cultural diversity behind these celebrations. The bill has no fiscal impact on state or local government and does not alter existing laws or create new obligations beyond the annual recognition. It is purely ceremonial, aligning with Nevada's existing framework for recognizing cultural observances.

Maddy summaryAB 423 revises Nevada business laws to provide specific exemptions and requirements. It allows sole proprietors (businesses with only one owner-employee) to elect not to contribute to the Unemployment Compensation Fund, but they lose eligibility for unemployment benefits. The bill also exempts certain new business license applicants from the $200 initial fee and first renewal fee if they commit to hiring full-time employees or making capital investments within two years, with a review at the second renewal. Additionally, it sets new rules for land use authorities reviewing modifications to personal wireless service facilities.

Maddy summaryAB 290 revises prior authorization rules for health and dental insurance coverage, affecting all health insurers (including Medicaid and CHIP plans) and the patients and providers who rely on them. It requires insurers to publicly list covered services needing authorization and their clinical criteria, shorten response times (48 hours for urgent care, 7 days for routine care), and prohibit denying claims if prior authorization wasn't required at the time of service. The bill also mandates disclosure of AI use in processing requests, requires physician review for denials, and bans prior authorization for emergency care. These changes aim to increase transparency, reduce delays, and protect patients from unnecessary coverage denials.

Maddy summaryAB 383 requires the State Board of Education to establish evidence-based regulations for tutoring vendors working with school districts and charter schools. The regulations must cover key elements like tutor-pupil interaction frequency, student selection criteria, tutoring methods (including pupil-tutor ratios), tutor qualifications, instructional materials, progress tracking, and data privacy compliance with laws like FERPA. This directly affects school districts, charter schools, and tutoring vendors seeking contracts to provide high-impact tutoring programs. The rules will ensure tutoring programs meet specific quality standards before contracting with schools, with implementation starting July 1, 2025.