2017 Legislative Scorecard

Assemblyman Brooks’s bill raising Nevada’s Renewable Portfolio Standard from 25 percent by the year 2025 to 40 percent by 2030. The state’s current RPS goal is 25% by 2025. It would have also required large power customers who have paid an exit fee to purchase power on the open market to also meet the higher renewable standards. Vetoed by the Governor.

Places on the ballot a constitutional amendment raising the minimum wage to $14/hour by 2023. Also eliminates the $1 credit for an employee who is offered health insurance by the employer. Passed both houses and will return next session. If passed in the same form next session, it will then go to the ballot for voter approval in 2020.

Places on the ballot a constitutional amendment regarding Nevada’s property tax.  The resolution proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to provide that for the first fiscal year after real property, commercial and residential, is sold or transferred, the real property is ineligible for any adjustment to the value of improvements on the real property which is based on the age of improvement and certain partial abatements.  Passed both houses and will return next session. If passed in the same form next session, it will then go to the ballot for voter approval in 2020.

Raises the minimum wage to $12/hour by 2022, and enacts provisions for employees to seek civil penalties from employers for violating minimum wage law. This proposal retained the $1 credit against the minimum wage if an employee is offered health insurance by the employer. Vetoed by the Governor.

Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression and sexual orientation. Signed into law by the Governor.

Senator Woodhouse’s bill to combat deceptive trade practices among ticket retailers. It prohibits a reseller, a secondary ticket exchange or any affiliate of a reseller or secondary ticket exchange from: (1) displaying a trademarked or copyrighted website without the consent of the holder; or (2) creating a website that is substantially similar to the website of an entertainment facility, athletic contest or live entertainment event without permission. Prohibits a reseller from reselling more than one copy of the same ticket or employing another person to wait in line to purchase tickets for the purpose of reselling the tickets. It prohibits the use of an Internet robot for the purposes of circumventing the ticket purchasing process. Signed into law by the Governor.

Applies current laws governing pari-mutuel wagering on sporting events to include "other events." Signed into law by the Governor.

Extends the construction manager at risk option for public works, which assists in securing new construction and renovation projects at a lower cost. On the last night of session, the first vote on SB246 took 10 minutes as members changed from yay to nay back and forth and two members refused to vote. Signed into law by the Governor.

A Senate Judiciary Committee bill clarifies the privileged nature of information and data provided by gaming applicants and licensees to state agencies that regulate gaming are confidential and privileged. This is a bill that Las Vegas Sands was involved in, and ultimately became an amended bill the Governor requested two days before the end of session. Signed into law by the Governor.

This bill was an anti-discrimination bill and would have made changes to the way cases are handled by the NERC by extending the time an employee has to bring a claim, allowing for back pay, and other damages, amongst other changes. Vetoed by the Governor.

This was Senator Roberson’s bill containing elements of vetoed SB 265. It requires pharmaceutical companies to disclose the list prices they set and profits made on insulin products. Signed into law by the Governor.

This was the bill to fund capital improvement projects throughout the state. It includes $346 million in projects ranging from roof repairs to planning for college educational buildings to a Reno veterans nursing home. This bill too required significant cajoling to have Republicans sign on to the bill after the Governor’s proposed Educational Savings Account (ESA) legislation failed.  Signed into law by the Governor.

This bill was the compromise once the ESA negotiations broke-down. It is a one-time $20 million infusion of tax credits to support Opportunity Scholarships for under-advantaged youth. This allows students from low-to-moderate income families to attend the school of their choice. Signed into law by the Governor.