Assembly Joint Resolution 5
Urges Congress to sell or transfer certain public lands to local governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations.
Legislative Summary: AJR 5 addresses a number of federally held parcels of land, many of which are under a current lease from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These parcels of land are often limited in their use by the terms of the lease, despite being practically administered by the various local government entities throughout the state. This resolution urges Congress to release certain specific parcels fully to the control of the local government entities and specified nonprofits currently providing various public services from the facilities located on the land.
The Vegas Chamber is in support of AJR5, and has supported various other public lands bills which would transfer federal land parcels in Southern Nevada to various state and local governments, as well as non-profit and private organizations to allow for economic growth and development.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Assembly Committee on Natural Resources
Position: Support
Assembly Bill 45
Revises provisions relating to insurance.
Legislative Summary: AB 45 relates to the Division of Insurance and the expansion of the powers of the Commissioner of Insurance as it relates to licensees. The bill would allow the Commissioner to terminate a license without a hearing. The licensee would be allowed to request a reconsideration on the termination from the Commissioner of Insurance.
The Chamber is opposed to the bill because of the lack of due process for a business as it relates to a licensee being terminated at the discretion of the Commissioner of Insurance before a hearing is conducted.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor
Position: Opposed
Assembly Bill 207
Provides that certain businesses which offer goods or services through an Internet website, mobile application or other electronic medium are places of public accommodation.
Legislative Summary: AB 207 as introduced expands the definition of “place of public” to include any online establishment, which is defined as a business, this includes both profit and not-for-profit, which offers goods or services to the general public through an Internet website, mobile application or another electronic medium in Nevada.
The Chamber opposes the bill because of the broadness of the definition and the concern of how it would be determined that an online establishment would be in violation of existing state law as it applies to equal access and protections.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Assemblyman Howard Watts
Position: Opposed
Assembly Bill 240
Revises provisions governing mining.
Legislative Summary: AB 240 addresses the current regulatory structure that governs the permitting and operations of exploration and extraction operations within the state. As written, AB 240 proposes to dissolve the Department of Minerals and the Commission on Mineral Resources, moving their operations and authority under the aegis of the State Department of Conservation and the State Environmental Commission.
This would remove long standing continuity of experience on the regulatory side governing mineral exploration and extraction in the state, potentially undermining both the efficiency and efficacy of the permitting and regulatory process that exists today. Under the current system, Nevada has one of the strictest and most efficient regulatory schemes in the country, while simultaneously managing to adhere to one of the most effective environmental mitigation plans in the world.
The Chamber is opposed to AB 240, as it would have negative effects on the efficiency in operations and permitting of mining in the State.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Assemblyman Howard Watts
Position: Oppose
Assembly Bill 319
Establishes a pilot program relating to dual credit courses.
Legislative Summary: AB 319 provides for the establishment of a pilot program that would allow additional collegiate access for working class families by focusing on dual credit courses made available through Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) institutions to high school students. AB 319 also provides for the funding of this pilot program by setting up an account designed specifically to accept charitable donations to cover operational costs.
The Chamber is in support of AB319 as it provides more educational opportunities for students. This is also a Southern Nevada Forum priority.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Assemblyman Tom Roberts
Position: Support
Assembly Bill 330
Establishes provisions governing occupational training and licensing.
Legislative Summary: AB 330 ensures that participants in secondary or postsecondary educational training programs receive all eligible certificates and credits toward any other certificates. This bill also works retroactively to provide credits to those who have already completed courses.
The Chamber is in support of AB 330 as it supports students preparing for career and college ready opportunities.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Assemblyman John Ellison
Position: Support
Senate Bill 184
Revises provisions relating to the practice of medicine.
Legislative Summary: SB 184 is intended to streamline the process of licensing and credentialing for qualified care providers wishing to work in the state of Nevada. This bill provides the authorization of the Board of Medical Examiners to issue licenses to qualified individuals who have graduated medical school and completed residency outside of the US or Canada. Additionally, this bill provides additional legal flexibility for Physicians Assistants to provide emergency care under certain supervised circumstances.
SB 184 is a Southern Nevada Forum priority. This includes streamlining the licensing process for caregivers and increasing the number of qualified caregivers within the state.
The Chamber is in support of SB 184.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Senator Joseph Hardy
Position: Support
Senate Bill 209
Revises provisions relating to employment.
Legislative Summary: SB 209 pertains to the use of paid leave for private sector employees for COVID-19 vaccinations and conduct a study on the Nevada COVID-19 response and make recommendations for future public health crises. The bill would require private employers to provide up to four additional hours of paid leave for employees to use specifically to get their COVID-19 vaccine on a temporary basis.
The Chamber is neutral on the bill as public health officials and employers are promoting vaccine efforts with employees as more groups become eligible through the state’s vaccination plan. Employers are currently working to offer onsite vaccine clinics and greater flexibility with scheduling for their employees so they can receive their COVID-19 vaccine.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Senator Fabian Donate
Position: Neutral
Senate Bill 218
Makes various changes relating to property.
Legislative Summary: SB 218 makes several changes to law concerning landlord tenant relations and legal obligations. This bill directly addresses fees, security deposits and legally mandated grace periods for late payment of rent. The provisions as written would dramatically extend the timelines for inspections by landlords and restrict items that security deposits may be used to repair.
The Chamber is opposed to SB 218 as the provisions above will increase both the cost and liability of landlords, and will likely result in a reduction of rental housing as investment property owners are incentivized to sell rather than continue renting their houses.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Senator Julia Ratti
Position: Oppose
Senate Bill 229
Revises provisions relating to the practice of pharmacy.
Legislative Summary: SB 229 would allow for the use of collaborative practice agreements (CPAs) as it relates to a pharmacist. The bill would define the patient care functions that pharmacists can autonomously provide under specified conditions outlined in a CPA. The bill would also remove restrictions of a patient being referred by a practitioner and remove restrictions when patients need to receive care in a medical facility.
The Chamber is in support of the bill as it will help improve access to care, expansion of services, increase efficiencies, and coordination of care as it relates to patients.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Senator Julia Ratti
Position: Support
Senate Bill 310
Makes an appropriation to the Nevada System of Higher Education to enable the College of Southern Nevada to assist and carry out the NV Grow Program.
Legislative Summary: This bill extends the appropriation for the Nevada Grow program. The Nevada Grow program provides small businesses with data driven metrics to market their brand both physically and digitally with a history of high returns on investment.
The Chamber has supported appropriations to the program since its inception because it helps minority owned businesses.
Sponsor: Senator Dina Neal
Position: Support
Senate Bill 326
Revises provisions relating to providers of healthcare.
Legislative Summary: SB 326 directly addresses the ability of licensed caregivers in various states to receive a license to provide telehealth care within the State of Nevada. This bill would allow a streamlined process for medical professionals in good standing to receive their reciprocal license within the State of Nevada to practice telemedicine.
SB 326 is a Southern Nevada Forum priority. The Chamber is in support of streamlining the licensing process for caregivers and increasing the number of qualified caregivers within the state.
Primary Bill Sponsor: Senator Joseph Hardy
Position: Support
