Sen. Fabian Doñate

Maddy summarySB 193 establishes a state pilot program to reduce mortgage interest rates for eligible first-time homebuyers. The program, administered by the Housing Division, provides interest rate buy-downs for owner-occupied homes to families meeting specific criteria: household income at or below 160% of the county median, first-time homebuyer status (with defined exceptions for displaced homemakers and single parents), and mortgage loan eligibility. Participants can apply through the Division, with the program covering up to the full duration of the mortgage loan. The bill includes an appropriation for program implementation but does not affect local or state government budgets beyond the specified funding.

Maddy summarySB 234 requires Nevada's Medicaid program to cover emergency medical care for non-citizens who would otherwise be ineligible due to immigration status. It mandates coverage for emergency transportation, emergency room care, inpatient services directly related to an emergency, and limited follow-up care for kidney disease or cancer (with prior approval from the Department of Health and Human Services). The bill specifically excludes non-emergency care and aligns state Medicaid coverage with existing federal emergency medical condition requirements. This policy change directly affects non-citizens in Nevada facing urgent health crises who previously lacked access to these essential services.

Maddy summarySB 323 makes permanent a pilot program requiring the Nevada Department of Corrections to provide 15-minute daily free telephone calls between offenders at Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center and their family members. The bill specifically targets female inmates at this facility, aiming to support family relationships during incarceration. It also prohibits charging offenders more than the actual cost for audio/video calls and mandates that telecom contracts include federal rules requiring refunds for unused call credits. This policy change directly affects inmates at Florence McClure and the state’s correctional communications system.

Maddy summaryAB 310 appropriates $250,000 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and another $250,000 for 2026-2027 from the State General Fund to The Immigrant Home Foundation. The funding specifically supports mental health services and legal assistance for victims of domestic violence. The foundation must submit detailed spending reports to the legislature by December 2026 and September 2027, and any unspent funds must revert to the state by September 2027. This bill directly affects domestic violence victims in Nevada who receive services through the foundation.

Maddy summarySB 142 updates Nevada's property exemption rules to better protect debtors from forced collection. It adjusts key exemption amounts (like $16,150 for personal injury payments and $605,000 for homestead equity) annually starting in 2026 using the Consumer Price Index, ensuring they keep pace with inflation. The bill also changes how disposable earnings exemptions work, replacing percentage-based limits with a fixed $850 base plus 90% or 85% of earnings above that, and increases bank account exemptions from $2,000/$400 to a flat $5,000 regardless of recent deposits. These changes directly affect individuals who owe debts (judgment debtors) and creditors seeking to collect through execution, while the Department of Taxation will manage the annual CPI-based adjustments.

Maddy summarySB 301 expands collective bargaining rights to include specific state peace officers. It revises Nevada law to define "employee" for bargaining purposes to cover category I, II, and III peace officers working in the unclassified service of the State. This directly affects those peace officers, who were previously excluded from collective bargaining under existing law (NRS 288.400-288.630). The bill’s key mechanism is amending the definition of "employee" in state law, allowing these officers to negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions with the Executive Department. The change applies solely to state-level employees and has a fiscal impact on the state, per the bill's note.

Maddy summarySJR 10 is a non-binding resolution urging Congress to take action supporting the therapeutic use of specific psychedelic compounds like psilocybin, MDMA, and ibogaine for mental health conditions. It cites FDA Breakthrough Therapy designations and clinical trial results showing promising outcomes for treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and chronic pain. The resolution specifically references studies demonstrating significant symptom reduction in veterans and patients with mental health disorders. It does not create new laws or regulations but calls on federal lawmakers to advance research and access for these treatments.

Maddy summarySB 169 requires third-party reservation platforms (like booking apps for restaurants or salons) to obtain a written agreement with an establishment before listing, advertising, or selling reservations through their service. Violations would be treated as deceptive trade practices, subjecting platforms to civil penalties (up to $10,000 per violation) but not criminal charges. The law explicitly exempts document preparation services from these requirements. It directly affects online booking platforms and the businesses they connect with, aiming to ensure platforms have explicit authorization for reservation activities.

Maddy summarySB 371 extends the period during which a trespass warning remains valid from 24 to 36 months. This means property owners or occupants can legally prohibit entry for three years after issuing a warning, instead of two years. The bill does not change the types of trespassing that are illegal or the methods for giving warnings (like signs, fences, or paint markers), only the duration of the warning's effect. It directly affects property owners seeking to enforce trespass restrictions and individuals who have received prior warnings. The change applies to all land or buildings under Nevada's existing trespass law (NRS 207.200).

Maddy summarySB 208 modifies how counties can use revenue from surcharges for emergency 911 systems. It expands allowable uses to include costs for facilities housing emergency call systems, increases spending thresholds for larger counties (to $15 million for populations over 700,000, $7.5 million for 100,000-700,000), and requires advisory committees in counties over 100,000 population to oversee fund use. The bill directly affects counties imposing the 911 surcharge, particularly Clark and Washoe Counties, by changing fund management rules and spending priorities. These changes aim to align county fund usage with federal guidelines while providing clearer spending parameters.