Sen. Ira Hansen

Maddy summarySB 214 revises Nevada's definition of "excavation" to include only work occurring more than 18 inches below ground level, raising the previous threshold from 12 inches. This change means individuals (not contractors) using non-mechanical equipment for shallow earth movement (e.g., gardening, small landscaping) no longer need to notify underground utility operators for work within 18 inches of the surface. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, simplifying requirements for minor, shallow projects while maintaining notification rules for deeper work.

Maddy summarySJR 6 proposes amending the Nevada Constitution to replace the Legislature's current role in redistricting with an Independent Redistricting Commission. The Commission, composed of seven members (four appointed by legislative leaders and three selected from non-partisan voters), would draw state Senate, Assembly, and congressional districts starting in 2031, following strict criteria like equal population, geographic contiguity, and avoiding racial or partisan discrimination. This change would directly affect Nevada voters and legislators by removing the Legislature from redistricting decisions and requiring voter approval for the constitutional amendment to take effect. The bill specifies that districts must reflect communities of interest, avoid dividing neighborhoods, and maintain political competitiveness where possible.

Maddy summarySB 103 revises Nevada's mail ballot rules to require that mail ballots must be postmarked by the last day of early voting (not the election day) and received by the time polls close on election day. It mandates county and city clerks to date-mark ballots without a USPS postmark, eliminates the previous rule that counted ballots with unclear postmarks received within three days after the election, and requires secure ballot drop boxes at all polling locations. This directly affects voters mailing ballots, election officials responsible for processing ballots, and individuals returning ballots for others. The changes apply to all county and city elections in Nevada, focusing on clearer deadlines and verification processes.

Maddy summarySB 361 requires law enforcement to obtain a court-issued "tracking warrant" before accessing most location information from electronic devices (like smartphones) or unique identifiers (like account IDs), with limited exceptions for emergencies, stolen devices, or explicit consent. It prohibits using location data collected without a warrant as evidence in court and mandates that law enforcement provide a copy of the warrant and collected data to defendants at least 10 days before trial. The bill also requires law enforcement to apply for a warrant within 48 hours if they initially access location data without one during emergencies. This directly affects law enforcement agencies, electronic device users, and courts by establishing clear procedures for digital location data collection and evidence handling.

Maddy summarySB 248 requires every public school in Nevada to create and maintain an electronic, publicly accessible list of all print and digital materials in its library and used in classroom curricula. The list must include each item's title, author, unique book code (ISBN), and be searchable and downloadable on the school's website. It covers all books, digital resources, and instructional materials used in teaching, but excludes academic tests and audiovisual content. This bill directly affects all public schools by mandating greater transparency about educational resources available to students and families.

Maddy summarySB 205 requires Nevada county clerks to **mandatory use U.S. Postal Service (USPS) address change data** to update the statewide voter registration list, replacing previous optional language. It directly affects **county election officials** and **registered voters who move** within Nevada, as clerks must now automatically correct voter addresses using USPS data. Key provisions include: requiring clerks to **publicly post online how many voters were removed** via this method, and mandating they **mail notices to voters before removing them** from the list. The law phases in full implementation by January 1, 2026, after immediate preparation steps. (Based on NRS 293.5303, 293.5307 amendments in SB 205)

Maddy summarySB 261 creates a new process for property owners to remove unlawful occupants who forcibly entered or detained a dwelling, bypassing standard court eviction procedures. Owners (or their authorized representatives) can submit a verified written complaint to the sheriff if the property wasn’t public at the time of entry, the occupant isn’t a tenant/family member/titleholder, and no related lawsuits exist. The sheriff must verify the complaint, serve a notice to vacate, and may charge fees for service or additional assistance. This applies specifically to residential dwellings and adds penalties for false statements on the required complaint form.

Maddy summarySB 195 revises Nevada's mail-in ballot rules to improve clarity and efficiency. It requires county/city clerks and the Secretary of State to inform voters about mail ballot requirements and train election staff on processing ballots. Key changes shorten deadlines: mail ballots must now be returned before the clerk's office closes (not by postmark date), and voters have only 3 days (not 6) to fix signature issues or missing information. The bill also mandates post-election reports from clerks to the Secretary of State about mail ballot processing. These changes directly affect voters casting mail ballots and election officials managing ballot processing.

Maddy summarySB 264 revises Nevada's property crime laws to strengthen penalties and broaden definitions. It removes the requirement that a person must "unlawfully enter" a business to commit burglary, making it a crime simply to enter with intent to commit theft, assault, or other felonies. The bill also expands "organized retail theft" to include single thefts (not just series), buying stolen goods knowing they were stolen, and lowers the felony theft threshold from $1,200 to $650. These changes directly affect businesses (through revised burglary rules), retailers (via expanded theft definitions), and individuals facing new or increased penalties for property crimes.

Maddy summarySB 200 allows counties with populations under 9,000 (like Esmeralda, Eureka, and Storey) to seek reimbursement from the state for costs incurred when hosting large, tax-exempt live entertainment events. Specifically, if a nonprofit religious or charitable organization holds an event with 15,000+ tickets in one of these counties, the county can apply for reimbursement of direct costs (e.g., security, permits) related to the event. The bill sets clear limits: counties cannot claim costs already paid by the event organizer, indirect costs are capped at 20% of direct costs, and total annual reimbursement cannot exceed $750,000. Applications must be submitted within 90 days after the event and reviewed by the Department of Taxation before approval by the Nevada Tax Commission.