[Rev. 8/22/2025 11:17:27 AM]
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3779κ
Senate Bill No. 502Committee on Finance
CHAPTER 515
[Approved: June 10, 2025]
AN ACT relating to projects of capital improvement; authorizing certain expenditures for certain projects of the Executive and Legislative Departments of the State Government; levying a property tax to support the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund; making appropriations; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
EXPLANATION Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between
brackets [omitted material] is material to be
omitted.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. There is hereby appropriated from the State General Fund to the State Public Works Division of the Department of Administration the sum of $99,514,255 to support the Division in carrying out the program of capital improvements as summarized in this section. The amount is allocated to projects numbered and described in the Executive Budget for the 2025-2027 biennium or otherwise described as follows:
Description Project No. Amount
1. Capital Improvements for the Department of Administration:
Intermediate-Care Facility Building Purchases, Las Vegas 25-C30 $7,500,000
Advance Planning, HVAC and Site Sanitary Sewer Piping, Arrowhead Building 25-P03................................................................. $977,919
Advance Planning, State Office Buildings, Capital Complex 25-P08 $6,234,392
Statewide ADA Program............................... 25-S02.............. $6,723,478
Statewide Fire and Life Safety Program..... 25-S03.............. $4,068,049
Statewide Advance Planning Program........ 25-S04.............. $2,088,656
Statewide Paving Program............................ 25-S05.............. $5,924,427
Statewide Indoor Air Quality, Environmental Program 25-S06 $201,838
Statewide Elevator Program......................... 25-S07.............. $8,093,770
2. Capital Improvements for the State Department of Agriculture:
HVAC System Renovation, Measurement Standards Building 25-M12 $1,359,582
Security Improvements, Interior Lighting and Power Distribution, Measurement Standards Building.................................................... 25-M14................. $951,046
3. Capital Improvements for the Governors Technology Office:
HVAC System Replacement and Arc Flash Study, Data Center 25-M13 $750,000
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3780 (CHAPTER 515, SB 502)κ
Description Project No. Amount
4. Capital Improvements for the Department of Corrections:
Advance Planning, Culinary, Bakery and Laundry Building, Northern Nevada Correctional Center......................................................... 25-P01.............. $2,596,565
Facility Maintenance, Department of Corrections 25-M04 $7,607,207
Replace Housing Units 9 and 10 Door Locks and Controls, High Desert State Prison 25-M15................................................... $10,321,349
5. Capital Improvements for the Department of Human Services:
Facility Maintenance, Department of Human Services 25-M02 $21,944,899
6. Capital Improvements for the Office of the Military:
Advance Planning, Camp Washoe Renovation, Nevada Army National Guard 25-P05............................................................. $1,200,108
Advance Planning, Civil Service Team Facility, Nevada Army National Guard 25-P06................................................................. $310,810
Power Distribution and Lighting, Office of Adjutant General Building, Lawrence E. Jacobsen Center....................................... 25-M09.............. $2,767,516
Re-roof Combined Support Maintenance Shop 2, Nevada Army National Guard 25-S01g................................................................. $574,196
Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation, Plumb Lane Readiness Center 25-S05g................................................................... $83,863
7. Capital Improvements for the Nevada System of Higher Education:
Deferred Maintenance, Nevada System of Higher Education 25-M01 $237,739
8. Capital Improvements for the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs:
HVAC System Replacement, Nevada State Museum Las Vegas 25-M22 $2,267,139
9. Capital Improvements for the Department of Veterans Services:
Chiller Water System Improvements, Northern Nevada State Veterans Home 25-M05............................................................. $2,845,654
Kitchen Ventilation Replacement, Southern Nevada State Veterans Home 25-M18............................................................. $1,315,815
Water Softener Replacement, Southern Nevada Veterans Home 25-M21 $274,054
10. Capital Improvements for the Department of Wildlife:
Residential Water Intrusion Repairs, Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area 25-M23................................................................. $294,184
Sec. 2. Any remaining balance of any appropriation made by section 1 of this act must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2029, by the entity to which the appropriation is made or any entity to which money from the appropriation is granted or otherwise transferred in any manner, and any portion of the appropriated money remaining must not be spent for any purpose after September 21, 2029, by either the entity to which the money was appropriated or the entity to which the money was subsequently granted or transferred, and must be reverted to the State General Fund on or before September 21, 2029.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3781 (CHAPTER 515, SB 502)κ
the appropriation is granted or otherwise transferred in any manner, and any portion of the appropriated money remaining must not be spent for any purpose after September 21, 2029, by either the entity to which the money was appropriated or the entity to which the money was subsequently granted or transferred, and must be reverted to the State General Fund on or before September 21, 2029.
Sec. 3. There is hereby appropriated from the State Highway Fund to the State Public Works Division of the Department of Administration the sum of $9,878,338 to support the Division in carrying out the program of capital improvements summarized in this section. The amount is allocated to projects numbered and described in the Executive Budget for the 2025-2027 biennium or otherwise described as follows:
Description Project No. Amount
1. Capital Improvements for the Department of Administration:
Facility Maintenance, Department of Administration, Highway Fund 25-M03h $4,241,449
Statewide Paving Program, Highway Fund 25-S05h $911,014
East Wing Elevator Modernization, Department of Motor Vehicles, Carson City 25-S07h................................................................. $607,760
2. Capital Improvements for the Department of Motor Vehicles:
Upgrade Interior Lighting, Department of Motor Vehicles, Flamingo 25-M20 $745,652
Replace Surveillance Cameras, Department of Motor Vehicles, Sahara 25-M24............................................................. $1,600,751
ADA Site Concrete Replacement, Department of Motor Vehicles, Carson City 25-S02h................................................................. $594,765
3. Capital Improvements for the Department of Public Safety:
Evidence Impound Lot Expansion, Department of Public Safety, Training 25-C20............................................................. $1,176,947
Sec. 4. Any remaining balance of any appropriation made by section 3 of this act must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2029, by the entity to which the appropriation is made or any entity to which money from the appropriation is granted or otherwise transferred in any manner, and any portion of the appropriated money remaining must not be spent for any purpose after September 21, 2029, by either the entity to which the money was appropriated or the entity to which the money was subsequently granted or transferred, and must be reverted to the State Highway Fund on or before September 21, 2029.
Sec. 5. The amounts appropriated by section 3 of this act from the State Highway Fund must be allocated by the State Controller as the money is required for the projects listed in section 3 of this act and must not be transferred to those projects until required to make contract payments.
Sec. 6. The State Board of Finance shall issue general obligation bonds of the State of Nevada in the face amount of not more than $799,271,288 for capital improvements summarized in this section and use proceeds of general obligation bonds of the State of Nevada previously issued in the amount of $1,692,000 which are reallocated for capital improvements summarized in this section.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3782 (CHAPTER 515, SB 502)κ
section. The capital improvements summarized in this section are to be paid with proceeds of general obligation bonds of the State of Nevada in an amount not to exceed $800,963,288, provided that $1,692,000 of the proceeds of general obligation bonds of the State of Nevada issued pursuant to section 6 of chapter 542, Statutes of Nevada 2019, at page 3309, as amended by section 2 of chapter 3, Statutes of Nevada 2020, 31st Special Session, at page 18, shall be reallocated to the capital improvements summarized in this section and spent before the expenditure of the proceeds of general obligation bonds of the State of Nevada issued pursuant to this section. The provisions of the State Securities Law, NRS 349.150 to 349.364, inclusive, apply to the bonds authorized by this section. As used in this section, proceeds of general obligation bonds means amounts received from the sale of an issue of the general obligation bonds and any accrued interest thereon. The amounts are allocated to projects numbered and identified in the Executive Budget for the 2025-2027 biennium or otherwise described as follows:
Description Project No. Amount
1. Capital Improvements for the Department of Administration:
Hobart Dam Rehabilitation, Marlette Lake Water System 25-C05 $14,589,720
State Office Buildings Purchase and Improvements, Las Vegas 25-C26 $71,157,889
State Office Building Purchase, Reno........ 25-C27............ $22,240,000
Facilities Maintenance, Department of Administration 25-M03 $18,354,424
Building Repairs and West Plaza Replacement, Nevada State Library and Archives 25-M08................................................... $12,416,436
Statewide Roofing Program.......................... 25-S01............ $11,655,718
Statewide Fire and Life Safety Program, Nevada National Guard 25-S03g $4,736,183
2. Capital Improvements for the Governors Technology Office:
HVAC System Replacement and Arc Flash Study, Data Center 25-M13 $5,000,974
Raised Server Room Floor Replacement, Data Center 25-M16 $1,698,753
3. Capital Improvements for the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources:
Replacement of Emergency Spillway Gate and Primary Outlet Gates, South Fork Dam.................................................................... 25-M10.............. $1,956,419
4. Capital Improvements for the Department of Corrections:
Recreational Yards Upgrade, Ely State Prison 25-C10 $2,814,398
Recreational Yard Enclosure Replacement, High Desert State Prison 25-C11 $6,148,299
Recreational Yard Enclosures, Lovelock Correctional Center 25-C19 $5,724,454
Facilities Maintenance, Department of Corrections 25-M04 $26,952,444
Evaporative Cooling Replacement for Housing Units 1 12, High Desert State Prison 25-M06................................................... $58,858,210
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3783 (CHAPTER 515, SB 502)κ
Description Project No. Amount
Underground Piping Replacement, High Desert State Prison 25-M07 $22,760,463
Culinary Renovation, Lovelock Correctional Center 25-M17 $10,799,516
5. Capital Improvements for the Department of Human Services:
Southern Nevada Forensic Facility, Las Vegas 25-C01 $381,797,319
Desert Regional Center Facilities, Las Vegas 25-C02 $38,023,299
6. Capital Improvements for the Office of the Military:
Parking Apron Expansion, Nevada Air National Guard 25-C06 $235,660
7. Capital Improvements for the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs:
Humidifier Reverse Osmosis System, Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas 25-M25................................................................. $309,152
Replace Fan Coil Units, Nevada State Museum, Carson City 25-M26 $1,483,713
8. Capital Improvements for the Department of Native American Affairs:
Exterior Quad Lighting, Stewart Facility... 25-C21................. $427,880
9. Capital Improvements for the Department of Veterans Services:
North Las Vegas State Veterans Home...... 25-C03............ $78,113,447
Cemetery Committal Building Utility Extension Supplemental Funding, Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery................ 25-C08.............. $2,708,518
Sec. 7. Any remaining balance of the allocated amounts authorized in section 6 of this act must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2029, and must be reverted to the Bond Interest and Redemption Account in the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund on or before September 21, 2029.
Sec. 8. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the State Board of Finance shall issue general obligation bonds of the State of Nevada in the face amount of not more than $6,718,797, the proceeds of which must be used for projects identified in this subsection. The provisions of the State Securities Law, NRS 349.150 to 349.364, inclusive, apply to the bonds authorized by this subsection. As used in this subsection, proceeds means amounts received from the sale of an issue of the general obligation bonds and any accrued interest thereon. The amounts are allocated to projects numbered and identified in the Executive Budget for the 2025-2027 biennium or otherwise described as follows:
Description Project No. Amount
Capital Improvements for the Department of Motor Vehicles:
Central Services and Records Division Renovation, Department of Motor Vehicles, Carson City............................................................. 25-C17.............. $4,853,287
Renovate Customer Counter Casework,
Department of Motor Vehicles, Decatur 25-C18 $1,865,510
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3784 (CHAPTER 515, SB 502)κ
2. The State Board of Finance shall not issue the bonds described in subsection 1 unless the Board determines that the money budgeted or to be budgeted pursuant to subsection 3 will be sufficient to pay the bond repayment costs of the bonds authorized by subsection 1. In making its determination under this subsection, the State Board of Finance shall be entitled to rely on a certification of the Director of the Office of Finance in the Office of the Governor that the money budgeted and to be budgeted pursuant to subsection 3 will be sufficient to pay the bond repayment costs of the bonds authorized by subsection 1. Any determination made by the State Board of Finance under this subsection shall be conclusive. As used in this subsection, bond repayment costs means the principal of and interest on the bonds and any other costs related to the payment of the bonds or compliance with covenants made in connection with those bonds, as estimated by the State Treasurer.
3. The Legislature intends that the annual bond repayment costs of the bonds authorized by subsection 1, and any bonds directly or indirectly, through a series of refundings, refunding those bonds, will be paid from annually available money in the State Highway Fund. The Director of the Office of Finance in the Office of the Governor is hereby directed to budget for payment of such bond repayment costs from the State Highway Fund in each budget or other spending plan presented to the Legislature for the expenditure of amounts in the State Highway Fund after the effective date of this section until the bonds authorized by subsection 1 and any bonds directly or indirectly refunding those bonds are no longer outstanding. The money so budgeted to pay the annual bond repayment costs of the bonds authorized by subsection 1, and any bonds directly or indirectly, through a series of refundings, refunding those bonds, is hereby appropriated in each year to the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund to pay such bond repayment costs. As used in this subsection, annually available money in the State Highway Fund means money remaining in the State Highway Fund in any year after all amounts required to pay bonds issued pursuant to NRS 408.273 in that year have been paid or provision for such payment has been made.
Sec. 9. Any remaining balance of the allocated amounts authorized in section 8 of this act must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2029, and must be reverted to the Bond Interest and Redemption Account in the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund on or before September 21, 2029.
Sec. 10. 1. The State Board of Finance may issue the bonds authorized pursuant to sections 6 and 8 of this act at the time deemed appropriate by the Board based on the schedule established for the completion of the projects described in those sections.
2. The State Controller may advance temporarily from the State General Fund, upon the approval of the Director of the Office of Finance in the Office of the Governor, to the State Public Works Division of the Department of Administration, until the date on which the bonds authorized by section 6 of this act are sold, amounts necessary to facilitate, as applicable, the purchase of buildings or the start of the projects enumerated in section 6 of this act. The amounts temporarily advanced by the State Controller must be advanced as the money is required for the projects and must not be transferred to the projects from the State General Fund until required to make contract payments. The advanced amounts must be repaid immediately to the State General Fund upon the issuance of the bonds or not later than the last business day in August immediately following the end of the fiscal year during which the advance is made.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3785 (CHAPTER 515, SB 502)κ
immediately to the State General Fund upon the issuance of the bonds or not later than the last business day in August immediately following the end of the fiscal year during which the advance is made.
3. The State Controller may advance temporarily from the State Highway Fund, upon the approval of the Director of the Office of Finance in the Office of the Governor, to the State Public Works Division of the Department of Administration, until the date on which the bonds authorized by section 8 of this act are sold, amounts necessary to facilitate the start of the projects enumerated in section 8 of this act. The amounts temporarily advanced by the State Controller must be advanced as the money is required for the projects and must not be transferred to the projects from the State Highway Fund until required to make contract payments. The advanced amounts must be repaid immediately to the State Highway Fund upon the issuance of the bonds or not later than the last business day in August immediately following the end of the fiscal year during which the advance is made.
4. The Director of the Office of Finance in the Office of the Governor shall provide written notification to the State Controller, the State Treasurer and the Senate and Assembly Fiscal Analysts of the Fiscal Analysis Division of the Legislative Counsel Bureau of the approval of any advance from the State General Fund or the State Highway Fund to the State Public Works Division of the Department of Administration pursuant to subsection 2 or 3. The Director of the Office of Finance in the Office of the Governor shall provide a reconciliation to the Senate and Assembly Fiscal Analysts of the Fiscal Analysis Division of the Legislative Counsel Bureau of any advance authorized from the State General Fund or the State Highway Fund pursuant to subsection 2 or 3 and any repayment of such an advance to the State General Fund or the State Highway Fund made during any fiscal year during the 2025-2027 biennium. The reconciliation must be provided not later than the last business day in August immediately following the end of the fiscal year during which an advance is made.
Sec. 11. 1. The State Public Works Division of the Department of Administration shall transfer the sum of $11,762,261 from the amount appropriated by section 1 of chapter 1, Statutes of Nevada 2023, 34th Special Session, at page 1, for the project numbered and described in the Executive Budget for the 2023-2025 biennium or otherwise described as Project 23-P01, Advance Planning: Headquarters Building, Carson City, Department of Public Safety, to the project as authorized in subsection 2.
2. The State Public Works Division of the Department of Administration shall use the $11,762,261 transferred pursuant to subsection 1 to support the Division in carrying out the program of capital improvement for the project described in the Executive Budget for the 2025-2027 biennium or otherwise described as Project 25-M01, Deferred Maintenance, Nevada System of Higher Education.
Sec. 12. Any remaining balance of the amount transferred pursuant to section 11 of this act must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2029, and must be reverted to the State General Fund on or before September 21, 2029.
Sec. 13. 1. Expenditure of the following sums not appropriated from the State General Fund or the State Highway Fund is hereby authorized for the following projects numbered and described in the Executive Budget for the 2025-2027 biennium or otherwise described as follows:
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3786 (CHAPTER 515, SB 502)κ
Description Project No. Amount
Capital Improvements for the Department of Administration:
Statewide Fire and Life Safety Program, Nevada National Guard 25-S03g $4,301,549
Statewide Indoor Air Quality, Environmental Program 25-S06 $100,000
Statewide Building Official Program.......... 25-S09.............. $4,000,000
Capital Improvements for the Office of the Military:
Parking Apron Expansion, Nevada Air National Guard 25-C06 $8,942,120
Advance Planning, Camp Washoe Renovation, Nevada Army National Guard 25-P05................................................................. $910,568
Advance Planning, Civil Service Team Facility, Nevada Army National Guard 25-P06................................................................. $590,000
Power Distribution and Lighting, Office of Adjutant General Building, Lawrence E. Jacobsen Center....................................... 25-M09................. $908,229
Re-roof Combined Support Maintenance Shop 2, Nevada Army National Guard 25-S01g................................................................. $529,269
Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation, Plumb Lane Readiness Center 25-S05g................................................................. $191,641
Capital Improvements for the Department of Veterans Services:
North Las Vegas State Veterans Home...... 25-C03......... $145,067,830
2. The State Public Works Division of the Department of Administration shall not execute a contract for the construction of a project listed in subsection 1 until the Division has determined that the funding authorized in subsection 1 for the project has been awarded or received and is available for expenditure for the project.
Sec. 14. The State Public Works Division of the Department of Administration shall carry out the provisions of sections 1, 3, 6, 8, 13 and 25 of this act as provided in chapter 341 of NRS. The Division shall ensure that qualified persons are employed to accomplish the authorized work. Every contract pertaining to the work must be approved by the Attorney General.
Sec. 15. All state and local governmental agencies involved in the design and construction of the projects enumerated in sections 1, 3, 6, 8, 13 and 25 of this act shall cooperate with the State Public Works Division of the Department of Administration to expedite completion of the project.
Sec. 16. 1. The State Board of Finance shall issue general obligation bonds of the State of Nevada in the face amount of not more than $6,000,000 in the 2025-2027 biennium as provided in NRS 383.530, the proceeds of which must be used for the program for awarding financial assistance to pay the actual expenses of preserving or protecting historical buildings to be used to develop a network of cultural centers and activities.
2. As used in this section, proceeds means amounts received from the sale of an issue of the general obligation bonds and any accrued interest thereon.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3787 (CHAPTER 515, SB 502)κ
Sec. 17. 1. The State Board of Finance shall issue general obligation bonds of the State of Nevada in the face amount of not more than $10,500,000 in the 2025-2027 biennium, the proceeds of which must be used for the purposes described in section 1 of Senate Bill No. 83 of this session.
2. As used in this section, proceeds means amounts received from the sale of an issue of the general obligation bonds and any accrued interest thereon.
Sec. 18. 1. The State Board of Finance shall issue general obligation bonds of the State of Nevada in the face amount of not more than $33,900,000 in the 2025-2027 biennium as provided in NRS 349.986, the proceeds of which must be used for the program for providing grants for water conservation and capital improvements to certain water systems.
2. As used in this section, proceeds means amounts received from the sale of an issue of the general obligation bonds and any accrued interest thereon.
Sec. 19. The State Board of Finance shall issue general obligation bonds of the State of Nevada in the face amount of not more than $63,400,000 in the 2025-2027 biennium, the proceeds of which must be used for the purposes described in:
1. Subsection 1 of section 2;
2. Subsection 2 of section 2;
3. Subsection 3 of section 2;
4. Subsection 4 of section 2;
5. Subsection 5 of section 2;
6. Subsection 7 of section 2;
7. Subsection 8 of section 2;
8. Subsection 9 of section 2;
9. Subparagraph (1) of paragraph (a) of subsection 10 of section 2;
10. Subparagraph (2) of paragraph (a) of subsection 10 of section 2;
11. Subparagraph (3) of paragraph (a) of subsection 10 of section 2;
12. Subparagraph (4) of paragraph (a) of subsection 10 of section 2;
13. Subparagraph (5) of paragraph (a) of subsection 10 of section 2; and
14. Paragraph (b) of subsection 10 of section 2,
Κ of chapter 480, Statutes of Nevada 2019, at page 2861. As used in this section, proceeds means amounts received from the sale of an issue of the general obligation bonds and any accrued interest thereon.
Sec. 20. The Legislature finds and declares that the issuance of securities and the incurrence of indebtedness pursuant to sections 17, 18 and 19 of this act, except the use of the proceeds of those bonds pursuant to subsections 3, 5, 11 and 14 of section 19 of this act:
1. Are necessary for the protection and preservation of the property and natural resources of this State and for the purpose of obtaining the benefits thereof; and
2. Constitute an exercise of the authority conferred by the second paragraph of Section 3 of Article 9 of the Nevada Constitution.
Sec. 21. 1. An ad valorem tax of 16.18 cents on each $100 of assessed valuation of taxable property is hereby levied for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, and an ad valorem tax of 16.18 cents on each $100 of assessed valuation of taxable property is hereby levied for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The taxes levied must be collected in the manner provided in chapter 361 of NRS on all taxable property in this State, including, without limitation, the net proceeds of minerals, and excluding such property as is by law exempt from taxation.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3788 (CHAPTER 515, SB 502)κ
from taxation. Notwithstanding the provisions of NRS 361.453 to the contrary, 1.18 cents of the levies imposed pursuant to this subsection must not be included in calculating the limitation set forth in subsection 1 of NRS 361.453 on the total ad valorem tax levied for all public purposes.
2. An ad valorem tax of 0.82 cents on each $100 of assessed valuation of taxable property is hereby levied for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, and an ad valorem tax of 0.82 cents on each $100 of assessed valuation of taxable property is hereby levied for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The taxes levied must be collected in the manner provided in chapter 361 of NRS on all taxable property in this State, including, without limitation, the net proceeds of minerals, and excluding such property as is by law exempt from taxation. The proceeds of the taxes levied pursuant to this subsection must be used exclusively for the repayment of bonded indebtedness issued pursuant to the provisions of:
(a) Chapter 6, Statutes of Nevada 2001, 17th Special Session, at page 104; or
(b) Chapter 480, Statutes of Nevada 2019, at page 2860.
Κ Notwithstanding the provisions of NRS 361.453 to the contrary, the levies imposed pursuant to this subsection must not be included in calculating the limitation set forth in subsection 1 of NRS 361.453 on the total ad valorem tax levied for all public purposes.
3. The proceeds of the taxes levied by this section are hereby appropriated in each fiscal year to the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund to discharge the obligations of the State of Nevada as they are respectively due in that fiscal year. Any balance of the money appropriated by this subsection remaining at the end of the respective fiscal years does not revert to the State General Fund.
Sec. 22. 1. On or before July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026, respectively, the State Treasurer shall estimate the amount of proceeds of the taxes levied by section 21 of this act. If the sum of that estimate and the balance of ad valorem reserves in the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund is less than the total obligation of the State of Nevada for payment of the interest on and principal of bonds which will become due in the fiscal year, the State Treasurer shall request the State Controller to reserve in the State General Fund an amount which is sufficient to pay the remainder of the total obligation. The State Treasurer may revise the estimate and amount reserved.
2. If the money in the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund is insufficient to pay those obligations as they become due, the State Controller shall cause the money in reserve to be transferred from the State General Fund to the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund. The amount reserved is hereby contingently appropriated for that purpose. Any balance of the sums transferred pursuant to this subsection remaining at the end of the respective fiscal years must not be committed for expenditure after June 30 of the respective fiscal years and must be reverted to the State General Fund on or before September 18, 2026, and September 17, 2027, respectively.
3. The State Treasurer shall report to the Legislature or, if the Legislature is not in session, to the Interim Finance Committee:
(a) The amount of any estimate made pursuant to subsection 1 and the amount of money reserved in the State General Fund based upon the estimate;
(b) The amount of money transferred from the State General Fund pursuant to subsection 2; and
(c) The amount of money which reverts to the State General Fund pursuant to subsection 2.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3789 (CHAPTER 515, SB 502)κ
Sec. 23. The State Board of Finance, in its capacity as the State General Obligation Bond Commission and to the extent that money is available, shall pay the expenses related to the issuance of general obligation bonds approved by the 83rd Session of the Nevada Legislature from the proceeds of those bonds.
Sec. 24. 1. Expenditure of the following sums not appropriated from the State General Fund or the State Highway Fund is hereby authorized from the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund in the amount of $180,892,046 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, and in the amount of $180,634,198 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 4 of NRS 353.220, the approval of the Interim Finance Committee is not required for any request for the revision of a work program for the Bond Interest and Redemption Account in the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund for the bond repayment costs of the bonds approved pursuant to the provisions of this act. As used in this subsection, bond repayment costs means the principal, interest and related costs of issuance of the bonds and any other costs related to the payment of the bonds or compliance with covenants made in connection with those bonds, as estimated by the State Treasurer.
Sec. 25. 1. With the approval of the Interim Finance Committee, the State Public Works Division of the Department of Administration may transfer appropriated, allocated and authorized money from one project to another within the same agency for those projects listed in sections 1, 3, 6 and 8 of this act.
2. Transfers of money pursuant to subsection 1 to or from projects that are also authorized by section 13 of this act must maintain the overall ratio of appropriated, allocated and authorized money in total for those projects unless such a transfer jeopardizes the receipts of the money from those other sources authorized by section 13 of this act.
Sec. 26. 1. The money collected pursuant to the annual tax on slot machines imposed pursuant to NRS 463.385 that is distributed to the Special Capital Construction Fund for Higher Education, except any amount of that money which is needed to pay the principal and interest on bonds, is appropriated to the State Public Works Division of the Department of Administration in the sum of $3,000,000 for the project numbered and described in the Executive Budget for the 2025-2027 biennium or otherwise described as project 25-M01, Deferred Maintenance, Nevada System of Higher Education.
2. Any remaining balance of the appropriation made by subsection 1 must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2029, by the entity to which the appropriation is made or any entity to which money from the appropriation is granted or otherwise transferred in any manner, and any portion of the appropriated money remaining must not be spent for any purpose after September 21, 2029, by either the entity to which the money was appropriated or the entity to which the money was subsequently granted or transferred, and must be reverted to the Special Capital Construction Fund for Higher Education on or before September 21, 2029.
Sec. 27. There is hereby appropriated from the State General Fund to the Legislative Fund created by NRS 218A.150 the sum of $33,859,402 for capital improvement projects for facilities.
Sec. 28. 1. The State Board of Finance shall issue general obligation bonds of the State of Nevada in the face amount of not more than $191,869,942 in the 2025-2027 biennium, the proceeds of which must be used for capital improvement projects for the Legislative Department.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3790 (CHAPTER 515, SB 502)κ
used for capital improvement projects for the Legislative Department. The provisions of the State Securities Law, NRS 349.150 to 349.364, inclusive, apply to the bonds authorized by this subsection. As used in this subsection, proceeds means amounts received from the sale of an issue of the general obligation bonds and any accrued interest thereon.
2. All state and local governmental agencies involved in the design and construction of the capital improvement projects for the Legislative Department described in this act shall cooperate with the Legislative Department to expedite completion of the projects.
3. Any remaining balance of the allocated amount authorized in subsection 1 must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2029, and must be reverted to the Bond Interest and Redemption Account in the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund on or before September 21, 2029.
Sec. 29. 1. The State Board of Finance may issue the bonds authorized pursuant to section 28 of this act at the time deemed appropriate by the Board based on the schedule established for the completion of the capital improvement projects described in that section.
2. The State Controller may advance temporarily from the State General Fund, upon the request of the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau, to the Legislative Fund until the date on which the bonds authorized by section 28 of this act are sold, amounts necessary to facilitate the start of the capital improvement projects described in section 28 of this act. The amounts temporarily advanced by the State Controller must be advanced as the money is required for the projects and must not be transferred to the Legislative Fund from the State General Fund until required to make contract payments. The advanced amounts must be repaid immediately to the State General Fund upon the issuance of the bonds or not later than the last business day in August immediately following the end of the fiscal year during which the advance is made.
3. The Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau shall provide written notification to the State Controller, the State Treasurer and the Senate and Assembly Fiscal Analysts of the Fiscal Analysis Division of the Legislative Counsel Bureau of the approval of any advance from the State General Fund to the Legislative Fund pursuant to subsection 2. The Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau shall provide a reconciliation to the Legislative Commission and the Senate and Assembly Fiscal Analysts of the Fiscal Analysis Division of the Legislative Counsel Bureau of the advances authorized from the State General Fund pursuant to subsection 2 and repayments to the State General Fund of such an advance made during any fiscal year during the 2025-2027 biennium. The reconciliation must be provided not later than the last business day in August immediately following the end of the fiscal year during which an advance is made.
Sec. 30. If bonds for projects described in section 28 and either section 6 or 8 of this act are proposed for issuance at the same meeting of the State Board of Finance, the State Board of Finance shall approve a single issuance of bonds in one or more series for all such projects and may not vote separately upon projects described in such sections. Approval of the issuance of bonds for projects described in one such section shall be deemed approval for the issuance of bonds for projects described in the other such sections proposed at the same meeting.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3791 (CHAPTER 515, SB 502)κ
Sec. 31. Section 7 of chapter 542, Statutes of Nevada 2019, as amended by chapter 1, Statutes of Nevada 2023, 34th Special Session, at page 15, is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 7. 1. Except as otherwise provided in [subsection] subsections 2 [,] and 3, any remaining balance of the allocated amounts authorized in section 6 of chapter 542, Statutes of Nevada 2019, at page 3309, as amended by section 2 of chapter 3, Statutes of Nevada 2020, 31st Special Session, at page 18, must:
(a) Not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2023, and must be reverted to the Bond Interest and Redemption Account in the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund on or before September 15, 2023; or
(b) Transferred for the projects numbered and described in the Executive Budget for the 2023-2025 biennium or otherwise described in section 6 of chapter 542, Statutes of Nevada 2019, at page 3309, as amended by section 2 of chapter 3, Statutes of Nevada 2020, 31st Special Session, at page 18.
2. Any remaining balance of the allocated amounts authorized in section 6 of chapter 542, Statutes of Nevada 2019, at page 3309, as amended by section 2 of chapter 3, Statutes of Nevada 2020, 31st Special Session, at page 18, for the following projects, must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2025, and must [be] :
(a) Be reverted to the Bond Interest and Redemption Account in the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund on or before September 19, 2025 [.] ; or
(b) Be transferred for the projects numbered and described in the Executive Budget for the 2025-2027 biennium or otherwise described in section 6 of this act.
Description Project No.
[Marlette Lake Dam Rehabilitation, Marlette Lake Water System 19-C08]
Renovation of Collections Storage Building 19, Stewart Campus 19-C16
Replace Freezer, Purchasing Warehouse....... 19-M01
Emergency Generator and Service Entrance Upgrade, Reno Purchasing Warehouse 19-M07
Central Plant Renovation, Paul Laxalt State Office Building 19-M29
HVAC Systems Renovation, Washoe County Armory 19-M31
[Construct Water Wells and Water Systems, Wildlife Management Area Sites 19-M40]
Cemetery Expansion, Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery 19-C03
Underground Piping and Boiler Replacement, Lovelock Correctional Center 19-M10
Statewide ADA Program.................................. 19-S02
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3792 (CHAPTER 515, SB 502)κ
3. Any remaining balance of the allocated amounts authorized in section 6 of chapter 542, Statutes of Nevada 2019, at page 3309, as amended by section 2 of chapter 3, Statutes of Nevada 2020, 31st Special Session, at page 18, for the following projects, must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2027, and must be reverted to the Bond Interest and Redemption Account in the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund on or before September 17, 2027:
Description Project No.
Marlette Lake Dam Rehabilitation, Marlette Lake Water System 19-C08
Construct Water Wells and Water Systems, Wildlife Management Area Sites 19-M40
Sec. 32. Section 5 of chapter 466, Statutes of Nevada 2021, as amended by chapter 1, Statutes of Nevada 2023, 34th Special Session, at page 16, is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 5. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, any remaining balance of the allocated amounts authorized in section 4 of chapter 466, Statutes of Nevada 2021, at page 2880, must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2025, and must be reverted to the Bond Interest and Redemption Account in the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund on or before September 19, 2025.
2. Any remaining balance of the allocated amounts authorized in section 4 of chapter 466, Statutes of Nevada 2021, at page 2880, for [project 21-C03, Washoe County Training Center Addition, Nevada Army National Guard,] the following projects must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2027, and must be reverted to the Bond Interest and Redemption Account in the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund on or before September 17, 2027.
Description Project No.
Heavy Equipment Repair Shop and Shop Renovation, Northern Region 2 Headquarters, Elko................................................................ 21-C01
Washoe County Training Center Addition, Nevada Army National Guard 21-C03
Hobart Reservoir Dam Rehabilitation, Marlette Lake Water System 21-C06
Aircraft Storage Hangar and Sitework, Harry Reid Training Center 21-C10
Loading Dock, North Las Vegas Readiness Center 21-E01
Deferred Maintenance, Department of Health and Human Services 21-M02
Construct Water Wells and Water Systems, Various Fish Hatchery Sites 21-M08
Uninterruptible Power Supply and Temperature Control System Upgrade, Bryan Building .......................................................... 21-M11
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3793 (CHAPTER 515, SB 502)κ
Description Project No.
Elevator Modernization, EICON Building.. 21-M12
HVAC Systems Renovation, Carlin Readiness Center 21-M19
Replace Domestic Water Heaters, Carlin Readiness Center 21-M27
Housing Unit 4 HVAC System Renovation, Northern Nevada Correctional Center 21-M30
Domestic Hot Water System and Transformer Replacement, Office of the Adjutant General......................................................................... 21-M43
Exterior Renovation, State Capitol and Annex Building 21-M46
Safety Improvements, Miller Point Overlook 21-M50
Replace Locks and Controls Housing Unit 7, Northern Nevada Correctional Center 21-M58
Replace Cell Doors and Locks in Housing Units 4 - 6, Northern Nevada Correctional Center............................................................ 21-M60
Advance Planning: General Instruction Building, Floyd Edsall Training Center 21-P05
Statewide Paving Program.............................. 21-S05
Sec. 33. The project numbered and described in the Executive Budget for the 2023-2025 biennium or otherwise described in section 6 of chapter 1, Statutes of Nevada 2023, 34th Special Session, at page 7, as Project 23-C33, Southern Nevada Small Arms Range, Nevada Army National Guard is hereby cancelled in accordance with paragraph (j) of subsection 1 of NRS 341.145.
Sec. 34. 1. This section and sections 1 to 16, inclusive, and 18 to 33, inclusive, of this act become effective upon passage and approval.
2. Section 17 of this act becomes effective on July 1, 2025, if and only if Senate Bill No. 83 of this session is enacted by the Legislature and approved by the Governor.
________
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3794κ
Senate Bill No. 503Committee on Finance
CHAPTER 516
[Approved: June 10, 2025]
AN ACT relating to insurance; eliminating the Account for the Regulation and Supervision of Captive Insurers in the Fund for Insurance Administration and Enforcement; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Legislative Counsels Digest:
Existing law creates the Fund for Insurance Administration and Enforcement and requires the Fund to be used solely for the administration and enforcement of the Nevada Insurance Code and other laws and regulations enforced by the Division of Insurance of the Department of Business and Industry. (NRS 680C.100) Existing law creates within the Fund an Account for the Regulation and Supervision of Captive Insurers. (NRS 694C.460) Under existing law, various fees and assessments received by the Commissioner of Insurance or the Division pursuant to the provisions of existing law governing captive insurers and 25 percent of the revenues collected from the tax imposed upon the premiums of a captive insurer are required to be credited to the Account. (NRS 694C.450, 694C.460) Existing law restricts the purposes for which money in the Account may be used. (NRS 694C.460)
Sections 1 and 2 of this bill eliminate the Account. Sections 1 and 2 require the fees, assessments and taxes which are required to be credited to the Account under existing law to instead be credited to the Fund, thereby authorizing such fees, assessments and taxes to be used for any other purpose for which any money in the Fund may be used. Section 3 of this bill requires any money remaining on July 1, 2025, in the Account to remain in the Fund and specifically authorizes the money to be used for any other purpose for which any money in the Fund may be used.
EXPLANATION Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between
brackets [omitted material] is material to be
omitted.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. NRS 694C.450 is hereby amended to read as follows:
694C.450 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a captive insurer shall pay to the Division, not later than March 1 of each year, a tax at the rate of:
(a) Two-fifths of 1 percent on the first $20,000,000 of its net direct premiums;
(b) One-fifth of 1 percent on the next $20,000,000 of its net direct premiums; and
(c) Seventy-five thousandths of 1 percent on each additional dollar of its net direct premiums.
2. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a captive insurer shall pay to the Division, not later than March 1 of each year, a tax at a rate of:
(a) Two hundred twenty-five thousandths of 1 percent on the first $20,000,000 of revenue from assumed reinsurance premiums;
(b) One hundred fifty thousandths of 1 percent on the next $20,000,000 of revenue from assumed reinsurance premiums; and
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3795 (CHAPTER 516, SB 503)κ
(c) Twenty-five thousandths of 1 percent on each additional dollar of revenue from assumed reinsurance premiums.
Κ The tax on reinsurance premiums pursuant to this subsection must not be levied on premiums for risks or portions of risks which are subject to taxation on a direct basis pursuant to subsection 1. A captive insurer is not required to pay any reinsurance premium tax pursuant to this subsection on revenue related to the receipt of assets by the captive insurer in exchange for the assumption of loss reserves and other liabilities of another insurer that is under common ownership and control with the captive insurer, if the transaction is part of a plan to discontinue the operation of the other insurer and the intent of the parties to the transaction is to renew or maintain such business with the captive insurer.
3. If the sum of the taxes to be paid by a captive insurer calculated pursuant to subsections 1 and 2 is less than $5,000 in any given year, the captive insurer shall pay a tax of $5,000 for that year. The maximum aggregate tax for any year must not exceed $175,000. The maximum aggregate tax to be paid by a sponsored captive insurer applies only to each protected cell and does not apply to the sponsored captive insurer as a whole.
4. Two or more captive insurers under common ownership and control must be taxed as if they were a single captive insurer.
5. Notwithstanding any specific statute to the contrary and except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the tax provided for by this section constitutes all the taxes collectible pursuant to the laws of this State from a captive insurer, and no occupation tax or other taxes may be levied or collected from a captive insurer by this State or by any county, city or municipality within this State, except for taxes imposed pursuant to chapter 363A, 363B or 363C of NRS and ad valorem taxes on real or personal property located in this State used in the production of income by the captive insurer.
6. Twenty-five percent of the revenues collected from the tax imposed pursuant to this section must be deposited with the State Treasurer for credit to the [Account for the Regulation and Supervision of Captive Insurers] Fund for Insurance Administration and Enforcement created [pursuant to NRS 694C.460.] by NRS 680C.100. The remaining 75 percent of the revenues collected must be deposited with the State Treasurer for credit to the State General Fund.
7. A captive insurer that is issued a license pursuant to this chapter after July 1, 2003, is entitled to receive a nonrefundable credit of $5,000 applied against the aggregate taxes owed by the captive insurer for the first year in which the captive insurer incurs any liability for the payment of taxes pursuant to this section. A captive insurer is entitled to a nonrefundable credit pursuant to this section not more than once after the captive insurer is initially licensed pursuant to this chapter.
8. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) Common ownership and control means:
(1) In the case of a stock insurer, the direct or indirect ownership of 80 percent or more of the outstanding voting stock of two or more corporations by the same member or members.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3796 (CHAPTER 516, SB 503)κ
(2) In the case of a mutual insurer, the direct or indirect ownership of 80 percent or more of the surplus and the voting power of two or more corporations by the same member or members.
(b) Net direct premiums means the direct premiums collected or contracted for on policies or contracts of insurance written by a captive insurer during the preceding calendar year, less the amounts paid to policyholders as return premiums, including dividends on unabsorbed premiums or premium deposits returned or credited to policyholders.
Sec. 2. NRS 694C.460 is hereby amended to read as follows:
694C.460 [1. There is hereby created in the Fund for Insurance Administration and Enforcement created by NRS 680C.100 an Account for the Regulation and Supervision of Captive Insurers. Money in the Account must be used only to carry out the provisions of this chapter or for any other purpose authorized by the Legislature.] Except as otherwise provided in NRS [680C.110 and] 694C.450, all fees and assessments received by the Commissioner or Division pursuant to this chapter must be credited to the [Account. Not more than 2 percent of the tax collected and deposited in the Account pursuant to NRS 694C.450, may, upon application by the Division or an agency for economic development to, and with the approval of, the Interim Finance Committee, be transferred to an agency for economic development to be used by that agency to promote the industry of captive insurance in this State.
2. Except as otherwise provided in this section, all payments from the Account for the maintenance of staff and associated expenses, including contractual services, as necessary, must be disbursed from the State Treasury only upon warrants issued by the State Controller, after receipt of proper documentation of the services rendered and expenses incurred.
3. At the end of each fiscal year, that portion of the balance in the Account which exceeds $500,000 must be transferred to the State General Fund.
4. The State Controller may anticipate receipts to the Account and issue warrants based thereon.] Fund for Insurance Administration and Enforcement created by NRS 680C.100.
Sec. 3. Any money remaining on July 1, 2025, in the Account for the Regulation and Supervision of Captive Insurers created by NRS 694C.460 remains in the Fund for Insurance Administration and Enforcement created by NRS 680C.100 and may be used for any other purpose for which any money in the Fund may be used.
Sec. 4. This act becomes effective on July 1, 2025.
________
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3797κ
Assembly Bill No. 123Assemblymembers Nadeem, Nguyen, DSilva, Miller, Torres-Fossett; Gonzαlez, Jackson, Monroe-Moreno and Mosca
Joint Sponsor: Senator Nguyen
CHAPTER 517
[Approved: June 10, 2025]
AN ACT relating to elections communications; prohibiting a person from making certain statements which threaten or intimidate a candidate for public office; authorizing a candidate to notify the Secretary of State of a violation of such a prohibition; requiring the Secretary of State to take certain actions upon the receipt of such notice; providing penalties; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Legislative Counsels Digest:
Existing law provides that a person is guilty of harassment if he or she, without lawful authority, knowingly makes certain threats and, by words or conduct, places the person threatened in reasonable fear that the threat will be carried out. Existing law further provides that a person who is guilty of harassment is: (1) for the first offense, guilty of a misdemeanor; and (2) for the second or any subsequent offense, guilty of a gross misdemeanor. (NRS 200.571)
Section 2 of this bill prohibits a person from directly or indirectly addressing any threat or intimidation to a candidate for public office if the person: (1) knows or has reason to know that the threat or intimidation communicates the intent, either immediately or in the future, to cause or induce another to cause bodily injury to the candidate or another who the person knows or has reason to know is a family member of the candidate or physical damage to the property of the candidate or another who the person knows or has reason to know is a family member of the candidate; and (2) addresses the threat or intimidation in a manner which places the person who receives the threat or intimidation in reasonable fear that the threat or intimidation will be carried out. Section 2 further provides that a person who violates the provisions of section 2 is: (1) for the first offense, guilty of a misdemeanor; and (2) for the second or any subsequent offense, guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
Section 3 of this bill authorizes a candidate who believes that he or she is the subject of a threat or intimidation that violates the provisions of section 2 to notify the Secretary of State in writing of the alleged violation. Upon receipt of such notice, section 3 requires the Secretary of State to conduct an investigation and, if the Secretary of State determines that reasonable suspicion exists that a violation has occurred, requires the Secretary of State to, as soon as practicable, refer the matter to the Attorney General for a determination of whether to institute proceedings to enforce the provisions of section 2. Section 3 further requires the Secretary of State to, after the conclusion of such an investigation, issue to the candidate who notified the Secretary of State of the threat or intimidation a written report that includes: (1) a description of the alleged violation; (2) the results of the investigation undertaken; and (3) if applicable, the outcome of the referral of the matter to the Attorney General.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3798 (CHAPTER 517, AB 123)κ
EXPLANATION Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between
brackets [omitted material] is material to be
omitted.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 293 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 2 and 3 of this act.
Sec. 2. 1. A person shall not directly or indirectly address any threat or intimidation to a candidate for public office if the person:
(a) Knows or has reason to know that the threat or intimidation communicates the intent, either immediately or in the future, to cause or induce another to cause:
(1) Bodily injury to the candidate or another who the person knows or has reason to know is a family member of the candidate; or
(2) Physical damage to the property of the candidate or another who the person knows or has reason to know is a family member of the candidate; and
(b) Addresses the threat or intimidation in a manner which places the person who receives the threat or intimidation in reasonable fear that the threat or intimidation will be carried out.
2. Nothing in this section shall be construed as to prohibit a person from engaging in any constitutionally protected exercise of free speech, including political hyperbole.
3. A person who violates the provisions of subsection 1:
(a) For the first offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) For the second or any subsequent offense, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
Sec. 3. 1. A candidate who believes that he or she is the subject of a threat or intimidation addressed in violation of the provisions of section 2 of this act may notify the Secretary of State in writing of the alleged violation.
2. Upon receipt of a notice of an alleged violation pursuant to subsection 1, the Secretary of State shall conduct an investigation and if the Secretary of State determines that reasonable suspicion exists that a violation of section 2 of this act has occurred, the Secretary of State shall, as soon as practicable, refer the matter to the Attorney General for a determination of whether to institute proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of section 2 of this act.
3. After the conclusion of the investigation conducted pursuant to subsection 2, the Secretary of State shall issue to the candidate who notified the Secretary of State of the threat or intimidation a written report that includes:
(a) A description of the alleged violation;
(b) The results of the investigation undertaken by the Secretary of State; and
(c) If applicable, the outcome of the referral of the matter to the Attorney General.
________
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3799κ
Assembly Bill No. 452Assemblymember Brown-May
CHAPTER 518
[Approved: June 11, 2025]
AN ACT relating to public utilities; requiring the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada to open one or more investigatory dockets to examine certain matters relating to a potential cost-sharing adjustment mechanism; requiring a utility to refund certain overcharges; revising provisions governing certain applications filed by a public utility; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Legislative Counsels Digest:
Section 1.3 of this bill requires the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada to open one or more investigatory dockets to examine certain matters relating to a potential cost-sharing adjustment mechanism for the recovery of costs for purchased fuel and purchased power and the sharing of such costs between an electric utility and its customers. Section 1.3 requires the Commission to submit periodic reports to the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Growth and Infrastructure concerning the progress of each investigatory docket and, on or before July 1, 2026, submit a final report to the Legislative Commission on the outcomes of the investigatory dockets. Under section 1.3, the Commission is authorized to adopt regulations to establish a cost-sharing adjustment mechanism, if the Commission finds it is in the public interest as a result of the investigatory docket.
If the Commission determines that a utility has charged a customer more than any applicable rate or tariff allows, section 1.7 of this bill requires a utility to refund to the customer, with interest, the full amount of any overcharge.
Existing law requires the Commission to issue a written order approving or disapproving an application filed by a public utility to make any change in a schedule not later than 210 days after the date on which the application is filed. (NRS 704.110) Section 2 of this bill requires the Commission, for an application filed by certain electric utilities, to issue such a written order not later than 300 days after the date on which the application is filed.
EXPLANATION Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between
brackets [omitted material] is material to be
omitted.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 704 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 1.3 and 1.7 of this act.
Sec. 1.3. 1. The Commission shall open one or more investigatory dockets to:
(a) Examine how costs for purchased fuel and purchased power are currently passed through to customers.
(b) Examine the use of carrying charges on deferred energy accounting and balances.
(c) Identify opportunities to mitigate the impact on customer rates which are associated with fluctuations in the market for purchased fuel and purchased power or other unpredictable events which affect customer rates.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3800 (CHAPTER 518, AB 452)κ
(d) Consider elements of a potential cost-sharing adjustment mechanism for purchased fuel and purchased power which is designed to align the financial incentives of an electric utility with the interest of the customers of the electric utility, including, without limitation:
(1) A cost-sharing percentage that is high enough to incentivize the electric utility to keep the costs of purchased fuel and purchased power low, but not low enough that the electric utility is exposed to unreasonable levels of risk and volatility.
(2) Whether a cost-sharing adjustment mechanism is symmetrical or asymmetrical.
(3) Whether to use a straight-sharing method or a sharing-band method.
(4) Whether to use a forecasted estimate of costs or historic information concerning costs.
(5) Options to improve the transparency of any forecasted estimate of costs, including the use of a forward price index and providing access to forecasted estimates to interveners in proceedings of the Commission who sign nondisclosure agreements.
(6) Implications of the inclusion of costs for purchased fuel and purchased power on the participation of an electric utility in real time and day-ahead markets.
(e) Examine existing practices and evaluate options that reduce load and mitigate volatility in the cost of natural gas, including, without limitation, demand-side management programs which are cost effective, demand response and load shifting.
2. Before the submission of the report required by subsection 3, the Commission shall submit periodic reports on the progress of each investigatory docket opened pursuant to subsection 1 to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Growth and Infrastructure.
3. On or before July 1, 2026, the Commission shall submit a report on the outcomes of each investigatory docket opened pursuant to subsection 1, including, without limitation, the status of any regulations adopted or considered as a result of the investigatory docket, to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the Legislative Commission.
4. If the Commission finds it is in the public interest, as a result of the investigatory docket opened pursuant to subsection 1, the Commission may adopt regulations to establish a cost-sharing adjustment mechanism.
5. As used in this section:
(a) Cost-sharing adjustment mechanism means a mechanism that shares the risk of purchased fuel and purchased power costs between an electric utility and its customers.
(b) Electric utility has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 704.187.
Sec. 1.7. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the Commission determines that a utility has charged a customer more than any applicable rate or tariff allows, the utility shall refund to the customer, with interest, the full amount of any overcharge.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3801 (CHAPTER 518, AB 452)κ
Sec. 2. NRS 704.110 is hereby amended to read as follows:
704.110 Except as otherwise provided in NRS 704.075, 704.68861 to 704.68887, inclusive, and 704.7865, or as may otherwise be provided by the Commission pursuant to NRS 704.095, 704.097 or 704.7621:
1. If a public utility files with the Commission an application to make changes in any schedule, including, without limitation, changes that will result in a discontinuance, modification or restriction of service, the Commission shall investigate the propriety of the proposed changes to determine whether to approve or disapprove the proposed changes. If an electric utility files such an application and the application is a general rate application or an annual deferred energy accounting adjustment application, the Consumers Advocate shall be deemed a party of record.
2. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and subsection 3, if a public utility files with the Commission an application to make changes in any schedule, the Commission shall, not later than 210 days after the date on which the application is filed, issue a written order approving or disapproving, in whole or in part, the proposed changes. If the public utility is an electric utility, the Commission shall, not later than 300 days after the date on which the application is filed, issue a written order approving or disapproving, in whole or in part, the proposed changes.
3. If a public utility files with the Commission a general rate application, the public utility shall submit with its application a statement showing the recorded results of revenues, expenses, investments and costs of capital for its most recent 12 months for which data were available when the application was prepared. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, in determining whether to approve or disapprove any increased rates, the Commission shall consider evidence in support of the increased rates based upon actual recorded results of operations for the same 12 months, adjusted for increased revenues, any increased investment in facilities, increased expenses for depreciation, certain other operating expenses as approved by the Commission and changes in the costs of securities which are known and are measurable with reasonable accuracy at the time of filing and which will become effective within 6 months after the last month of those 12 months, but the public utility shall not place into effect any increased rates until the changes have been experienced and certified by the public utility to the Commission and the Commission has approved the increased rates. The Commission shall also consider evidence supporting expenses for depreciation, calculated on an annual basis, applicable to major components of the public utilitys plant placed into service during the recorded test period or the period for certification as set forth in the application. Adjustments to revenues, operating expenses and costs of securities must be calculated on an annual basis. Within 90 days after the date on which the certification required by this subsection is filed with the Commission, or within the period set forth in subsection 2, whichever time is longer, the Commission shall make such order in reference to the increased rates as is required by this chapter. The following public utilities shall each file a general rate application pursuant to this subsection based on the following schedule:
(a) An electric utility that primarily serves less densely populated counties shall file a general rate application:
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3802 (CHAPTER 518, AB 452)κ
(1) Not later than 5 p.m. on or before the first Monday in June 2019; and
(2) At least once every 36 months thereafter or on a date specified in an alternative rate-making plan approved by the Commission pursuant to NRS 704.7621.
(b) An electric utility that primarily serves densely populated counties shall file a general rate application:
(1) Not later than 5 p.m. on or before the first Monday in June 2020; and
(2) At least once every 36 months thereafter or on a date specified in an alternative rate-making plan approved by the Commission pursuant to NRS 704.7621.
(c) A public utility that furnishes water for municipal, industrial or domestic purposes or services for the disposal of sewage, or both, which had an annual gross operating revenue of $2,000,000 or more for at least 1 year during the immediately preceding 3 years and which had not filed a general rate application with the Commission on or after July 1, 2005, shall file a general rate application on or before June 30, 2008, and at least once every 36 months thereafter unless waived by the Commission pursuant to standards adopted by regulation of the Commission. If a public utility furnishes both water and services for the disposal of sewage, its annual gross operating revenue for each service must be considered separately for determining whether the public utility meets the requirements of this paragraph for either service.
(d) A public utility that furnishes water for municipal, industrial or domestic purposes or services for the disposal of sewage, or both, which had an annual gross operating revenue of $2,000,000 or more for at least 1 year during the immediately preceding 3 years and which had filed a general rate application with the Commission on or after July 1, 2005, shall file a general rate application on or before June 30, 2009, and at least once every 36 months thereafter unless waived by the Commission pursuant to standards adopted by regulation of the Commission. If a public utility furnishes both water and services for the disposal of sewage, its annual gross operating revenue for each service must be considered separately for determining whether the public utility meets the requirements of this paragraph for either service.
Κ The Commission shall adopt regulations setting forth standards for waivers pursuant to paragraphs (c) and (d) and for including the costs incurred by the public utility in preparing and presenting the general rate application before the effective date of any change in rates.
4. In addition to submitting the statement required pursuant to subsection 3, a public utility may submit with its general rate application a statement showing the effects, on an annualized basis, of all expected changes in circumstances. If such a statement is filed, it must include all increases and decreases in revenue and expenses which may occur within 210 days after the date on which its general rate application is filed with the Commission if such expected changes in circumstances are reasonably known and are measurable with reasonable accuracy. If a public utility submits such a statement, the public utility has the burden of proving that the expected changes in circumstances set forth in the statement are reasonably known and are measurable with reasonable accuracy.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3803 (CHAPTER 518, AB 452)κ
expected changes in circumstances set forth in the statement are reasonably known and are measurable with reasonable accuracy. The Commission shall consider expected changes in circumstances to be reasonably known and measurable with reasonable accuracy if the expected changes in circumstances consist of specific and identifiable events or programs rather than general trends, patterns or developments, have an objectively high probability of occurring to the degree, in the amount and at the time expected, are primarily measurable by recorded or verifiable revenues and expenses and are easily and objectively calculated, with the calculation of the expected changes relying only secondarily on estimates, forecasts, projections or budgets. If the Commission determines that the public utility has met its burden of proof:
(a) The Commission shall consider the statement submitted pursuant to this subsection and evidence relevant to the statement, including all reasonable projected or forecasted offsets in revenue and expenses that are directly attributable to or associated with the expected changes in circumstances under consideration, in addition to the statement required pursuant to subsection 3 as evidence in establishing just and reasonable rates for the public utility; and
(b) The public utility is not required to file with the Commission the certification that would otherwise be required pursuant to subsection 3.
5. If a public utility files with the Commission an application to make changes in any schedule and the Commission does not issue a final written order regarding the proposed changes within the time required by this section, the proposed changes shall be deemed to be approved by the Commission.
6. If a public utility files with the Commission a general rate application, the public utility, or a public utility affiliated with the public utility through common ownership, shall not file with the Commission another general rate application until all pending general rate applications filed by that public utility have been decided by the Commission unless, after application and hearing, the Commission determines that a substantial financial emergency would exist if the public utility or its affiliate is not permitted to file another general rate application sooner. The provisions of this subsection do not prohibit a public utility from filing with the Commission, while a general rate application is pending, an application to recover the increased cost of purchased fuel, purchased power, or natural gas purchased for resale pursuant to subsection 7, a quarterly rate adjustment pursuant to subsection 8 or 10, any information relating to deferred accounting requirements pursuant to NRS 704.185 or an annual deferred energy accounting adjustment application pursuant to NRS 704.187, if the public utility is otherwise authorized to so file by those provisions.
7. A public utility may file an application to recover the increased cost of purchased fuel, purchased power, or natural gas purchased for resale once every 30 days. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to:
(a) An electric utility which is required to adjust its rates on a quarterly basis pursuant to subsection 10; or
(b) A public utility which purchases natural gas for resale and which adjusts its rates on a quarterly basis pursuant to subsection 8.
8. A public utility which purchases natural gas for resale must request approval from the Commission to adjust its rates on a quarterly basis between annual rate adjustment applications based on changes in the public utilitys recorded costs of natural gas purchased for resale.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3804 (CHAPTER 518, AB 452)κ
between annual rate adjustment applications based on changes in the public utilitys recorded costs of natural gas purchased for resale. A public utility which purchases natural gas for resale and which adjusts its rates on a quarterly basis may request approval from the Commission to make quarterly adjustments to its deferred energy accounting adjustment. The Commission shall approve or deny such a request not later than 120 days after the application is filed with the Commission. The Commission may approve the request if the Commission finds that approval of the request is in the public interest. If the Commission approves a request to make quarterly adjustments to the deferred energy accounting adjustment of a public utility pursuant to this subsection, any quarterly adjustment to the deferred energy accounting adjustment must not exceed 2.5 cents per therm of natural gas. If the balance of the public utilitys deferred account varies by less than 5 percent from the public utilitys annual recorded costs of natural gas which are used to calculate quarterly rate adjustments, the deferred energy accounting adjustment must be set to zero cents per therm of natural gas.
9. If the Commission approves a request to make any rate adjustments on a quarterly basis pursuant to subsection 8:
(a) The public utility shall file written notice with the Commission before the public utility makes a quarterly rate adjustment. A quarterly rate adjustment is not subject to the requirements for notice and a hearing pursuant to NRS 703.320 or the requirements for a consumer session pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 704.069.
(b) The public utility shall provide written notice of each quarterly rate adjustment to its customers by including the written notice with a customers regular monthly bill or by electronic transmission pursuant to NRS 704.188. The public utility shall begin providing such written notice to its customers not later than 30 days after the date on which the public utility files its written notice with the Commission pursuant to paragraph (a). The written notice required by this paragraph:
(1) Must be printed separately, if included with the customers regular monthly bill, or the subject line of the electronic transmission must indicate that notice of a quarterly rate adjustment is included, if provided by electronic transmission pursuant to NRS 704.188; and
(2) Must include the following in clear and bold text:
(I) The total amount of the increase or decrease in the public utilitys revenues from the rate adjustment, stated in dollars and as a percentage;
(II) The amount of the monthly increase or decrease in charges for each class of customer or class of service, stated in dollars and as a percentage;
(III) A statement that customers may send written comments or protests regarding the rate adjustment to the Commission;
(IV) A statement that the transactions and recorded costs of natural gas which are the basis for any quarterly rate adjustment will be reviewed for reasonableness and prudence in the next proceeding held by the Commission to review the annual rate adjustment application pursuant to paragraph (d); and
(V) Any other information required by the Commission.
(c) The public utility shall file an annual rate adjustment application with the Commission. The annual rate adjustment application is subject to the requirements for notice and a hearing pursuant to NRS 703.320 and the requirements for a consumer session pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 704.069.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3805 (CHAPTER 518, AB 452)κ
requirements for notice and a hearing pursuant to NRS 703.320 and the requirements for a consumer session pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 704.069.
(d) The proceeding regarding the annual rate adjustment application must include a review of each quarterly rate adjustment and the transactions and recorded costs of natural gas included in each quarterly filing and the annual rate adjustment application. There is no presumption of reasonableness or prudence for any quarterly rate adjustment or for any transactions or recorded costs of natural gas included in any quarterly rate adjustment or the annual rate adjustment application, and the public utility has the burden of proving reasonableness and prudence in the proceeding.
(e) The Commission shall not allow the public utility to recover any recorded costs of natural gas which were the result of any practice or transaction that was unreasonable or was undertaken, managed or performed imprudently by the public utility, and the Commission shall order the public utility to adjust its rates if the Commission determines that any recorded costs of natural gas included in any quarterly rate adjustment or the annual rate adjustment application were not reasonable or prudent.
10. An electric utility shall adjust its rates on a quarterly basis based on changes in the electric utilitys recorded costs of purchased fuel or purchased power. In addition to adjusting its rates on a quarterly basis, an electric utility may request approval from the Commission to make quarterly adjustments to its deferred energy accounting adjustment. The Commission shall approve or deny such a request not later than 120 days after the application is filed with the Commission. The Commission may approve the request if the Commission finds that approval of the request is in the public interest. If the Commission approves a request to make quarterly adjustments to the deferred energy accounting adjustment of an electric utility pursuant to this subsection, any quarterly adjustment to the deferred energy accounting adjustment must not exceed 0.25 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity. If the balance of the electric utilitys deferred account varies by less than 5 percent from the electric utilitys annual recorded costs for purchased fuel or purchased power which are used to calculate quarterly rate adjustments, the deferred energy accounting adjustment must be set to zero cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity.
11. A quarterly rate adjustment filed pursuant to subsection 10 is subject to the following requirements:
(a) The electric utility shall file written notice with the Commission on or before August 15, 2007, and every quarter thereafter of the quarterly rate adjustment to be made by the electric utility for the following quarter. The first quarterly rate adjustment by the electric utility will take effect on October 1, 2007, and each subsequent quarterly rate adjustment will take effect every quarter thereafter. The first quarterly adjustment to a deferred energy accounting adjustment must be made pursuant to an order issued by the Commission approving the application of an electric utility to make quarterly adjustments to its deferred energy accounting adjustment. A quarterly rate adjustment is not subject to the requirements for notice and a hearing pursuant to NRS 703.320 or the requirements for a consumer session pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 704.069.
(b) The electric utility shall provide written notice of each quarterly rate adjustment to its customers by including the written notice with a customers regular monthly bill or by electronic submission pursuant to NRS 704.188.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3806 (CHAPTER 518, AB 452)κ
regular monthly bill or by electronic submission pursuant to NRS 704.188. The electric utility shall begin providing such written notice to its customers not later than 30 days after the date on which the electric utility files a written notice with the Commission pursuant to paragraph (a). The written notice required by this paragraph:
(1) Must be printed separately, if included with the customers regular monthly bill, or the subject line of the electronic transmission must indicate that notice of a quarterly rate adjustment is included, if provided by electronic transmission pursuant to NRS 704.188; and
(2) Must include the following in clear and bold text:
(I) The total amount of the increase or decrease in the electric utilitys revenues from the rate adjustment, stated in dollars and as a percentage;
(II) The amount of the monthly increase or decrease in charges for each class of customer or class of service, stated in dollars and as a percentage;
(III) A statement that customers may send written comments or protests regarding the rate adjustment to the Commission;
(IV) A statement that the transactions and recorded costs of purchased fuel or purchased power which are the basis for any quarterly rate adjustment will be reviewed for reasonableness and prudence in the next proceeding held by the Commission to review the annual deferred energy accounting adjustment application pursuant to paragraph (d); and
(V) Any other information required by the Commission.
(c) The electric utility shall file an annual deferred energy accounting adjustment application pursuant to NRS 704.187 with the Commission. The annual deferred energy accounting adjustment application is subject to the requirements for notice and a hearing pursuant to NRS 703.320 and the requirements for a consumer session pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 704.069.
(d) The proceeding regarding the annual deferred energy accounting adjustment application must include a review of each quarterly rate adjustment and the transactions and recorded costs of purchased fuel and purchased power included in each quarterly filing and the annual deferred energy accounting adjustment application. There is no presumption of reasonableness or prudence for any quarterly rate adjustment or for any transactions or recorded costs of purchased fuel and purchased power included in any quarterly rate adjustment or the annual deferred energy accounting adjustment application, and the electric utility has the burden of proving reasonableness and prudence in the proceeding.
(e) The Commission shall not allow the electric utility to recover any recorded costs of purchased fuel and purchased power which were the result of any practice or transaction that was unreasonable or was undertaken, managed or performed imprudently by the electric utility, and the Commission shall order the electric utility to adjust its rates if the Commission determines that any recorded costs of purchased fuel and purchased power included in any quarterly rate adjustment or the annual deferred energy accounting adjustment application were not reasonable or prudent.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3807 (CHAPTER 518, AB 452)κ
12. If an electric utility files an annual deferred energy accounting adjustment application pursuant to subsection 11 and NRS 704.187 while a general rate application is pending, the electric utility shall:
(a) Submit with its annual deferred energy accounting adjustment application information relating to the cost of service and rate design; and
(b) Supplement its general rate application with the same information, if such information was not submitted with the general rate application.
13. A utility facility identified in a 3-year plan submitted pursuant to NRS 704.741 and accepted by the Commission for acquisition or construction pursuant to NRS 704.751 and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto, or the retirement or elimination of a utility facility identified in an emissions reduction and capacity replacement plan submitted pursuant to NRS 704.7316 and accepted by the Commission for retirement or elimination pursuant to NRS 704.751 and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto, shall be deemed to be a prudent investment. The utility may recover all just and reasonable costs of planning and constructing, or retiring or eliminating, as applicable, such a facility. For the purposes of this subsection, a plan or an amendment to a plan shall be deemed to be accepted by the Commission only as to that portion of the plan or amendment accepted as filed or modified with the consent of the utility pursuant to NRS 704.751.
14. In regard to any rate or schedule approved or disapproved pursuant to this section, the Commission may, after a hearing:
(a) Upon the request of the utility, approve a new rate but delay the implementation of that new rate:
(1) Until a date determined by the Commission; and
(2) Under conditions as determined by the Commission, including, without limitation, a requirement that interest charges be included in the collection of the new rate; and
(b) Authorize a utility to implement a reduced rate for low-income residential customers.
15. The Commission may, upon request and for good cause shown, permit a public utility which purchases natural gas for resale or an electric utility to make a quarterly adjustment to its deferred energy accounting adjustment in excess of the maximum allowable adjustment pursuant to subsection 8 or 10.
16. A public utility which purchases natural gas for resale or an electric utility that makes quarterly adjustments to its deferred energy accounting adjustment pursuant to subsection 8 or 10 may submit to the Commission for approval an application to discontinue making quarterly adjustments to its deferred energy accounting adjustment and to subsequently make annual adjustments to its deferred energy accounting adjustment. The Commission may approve an application submitted pursuant to this subsection if the Commission finds that approval of the application is in the public interest.
17. As used in this section:
(a) Deferred energy accounting adjustment means the rate of a public utility which purchases natural gas for resale or an electric utility that is calculated by dividing the balance of a deferred account during a specified period by the total therms or kilowatt-hours which have been sold in the geographical area to which the rate applies during the specified period, not including kilowatt-hours sold pursuant to an expanded solar access program established pursuant to NRS 704.7865.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3808 (CHAPTER 518, AB 452)κ
(b) Electric utility has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 704.187.
(c) Electric utility that primarily serves densely populated counties means an electric utility that, with regard to the provision of electric service, derives more of its annual gross operating revenue in this State from customers located in counties whose population is 700,000 or more than it does from customers located in counties whose population is less than 700,000.
(d) Electric utility that primarily serves less densely populated counties means an electric utility that, with regard to the provision of electric service, derives more of its annual gross operating revenue in this State from customers located in counties whose population is less than 700,000 than it does from customers located in counties whose population is 700,000 or more.
Secs. 3-6. (Deleted by amendment.)
Sec. 7. This act becomes effective on July 1, 2025.
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Senate Bill No. 407Committee on Judiciary
CHAPTER 519
[Approved: June 11, 2025]
AN ACT relating to indigent services; revising provisions governing the Executive Director of the Department of Indigent Defense Services and the State Public Defender; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Legislative Counsels Digest:
Existing law creates the Department of Indigent Defense Services and requires the Governor to appoint the Executive Director of the Department, who serves at the pleasure of the Governor. (NRS 180.400) Section 25.5 of this bill instead: (1) requires the Executive Director to serve at the pleasure of the Board on Indigent Defense Services; and (2) authorizes the Board to remove the Executive Director only for good cause, unless an exception applies. Section 25.5 also specifies that the Executive Director serves a term of 4 years and may be reappointed.
Existing law creates the Office of the State Public Defender within the Department and requires the Governor to appoint the State Public Defender. (NRS 180.010) Section 16 of this bill instead requires the Executive Director to appoint the State Public Defender. Section 16 also authorizes the Executive Director to reappoint the State Public Defender.
Existing law requires the Executive Director and the State Public Defender to be licensed to practice law in this State. (NRS 180.010, 180.400) Sections 16 and 25.5 instead require each such person to be a member of the State Bar of Nevada or otherwise authorized to practice law in this State under the rules of the Supreme Court.
Section 25.7 of this bill authorizes the person serving as the State Public Defender on the effective date of this bill to serve the remainder of the term for which he or she was appointed. Section 25.7 also provides that the person serving as the Executive Director on the effective date of this bill is deemed to have been appointed to a term of 4 years beginning on that date.
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3809 (CHAPTER 519, SB 407)κ
EXPLANATION Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets
[omitted
material] is material to be omitted.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Sections 1-15. (Deleted by amendment.)
Sec. 16. NRS 180.010 is hereby amended to read as follows:
180.010 1. The Office of State Public Defender is hereby created within the Department of Indigent Defense Services.
2. The [Governor] Executive Director shall appoint the State Public Defender for a term of 4 years, and until a successor is appointed and qualified. The State Public Defender may be reappointed.
3. The State Public Defender is responsible to the Executive Director.
4. The State Public Defender:
(a) Must be [an attorney licensed] a member of the State Bar of Nevada in good standing or otherwise authorized to practice law in the State of Nevada [.] pursuant to the rules of the Supreme Court.
(b) Is in the unclassified service of the State and serves at the pleasure of the Executive Director.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 7.065, shall not engage in the private practice of law.
5. No officer or agency of the State, other than the Executive Director and the deputy director selected by the Executive Director pursuant to NRS 180.420 who is responsible for carrying out the duties provided in NRS 180.430 may supervise the State Public Defender. No officer or agency of the State, other than the Executive Director or deputy director selected by the Executive Director pursuant to NRS 180.420 who is responsible for carrying out the duties provided in NRS 180.430 may assign the State Public Defender duties in addition to those prescribed by this chapter.
Secs. 17-25. (Deleted by amendment.)
Sec. 25.5. NRS 180.400 is hereby amended to read as follows:
180.400 1. The Department of Indigent Defense Services is hereby created.
2. The Governor shall appoint the Executive Director of the Department [must be appointed by the Governor] from a list of three persons recommended by the Board. The Executive Director serves a term of 4 years, and until a successor is appointed and qualified. The Executive Director may be reappointed.
3. [The] Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, the Executive Director:
(a) Is in the unclassified service of this State;
(b) Serves at the pleasure of the [Governor,] Board, except that the Executive Director may only be removed [upon a finding of incompetence, neglect of duty, commission of an act that constitutes moral turpitude, misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance in office or] for [any other] good cause;
κ2025 Statutes of Nevada, Page 3810 (CHAPTER 519, SB 407)κ
(c) Must be [an attorney licensed] a member of the State Bar of Nevada in good standing or otherwise authorized to practice law in the State of Nevada [;] pursuant to the rules of the Supreme Court; and
(d) Must devote his or her entire time to his or her duties and shall not engage in any other gainful employment or occupation.
4. The Executive Director may, within the limits of money available for this purpose, employ or enter into a contract for the services of such employees or consultants as is necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
5. In extraordinary circumstances, the Governor may remove the Executive Director upon a finding that the Executive Director:
(a) Engaged in criminal conduct, whether or not the conduct occurred in office; or
(b) Committed an act that constitutes malfeasance or nonfeasance in office. For the purposes of this paragraph, an otherwise lawful action taken within the scope of the statutory authority of the Executive Director does not constitute malfeasance or nonfeasance.
Κ The Legislature declares that the purpose of this subsection is to uphold the public policy that an indigent defense system must be independent in order to provide constitutionally adequate representation, as recognized by the American Bar Association Ten Principles of a Public Defense Delivery System, as published on November 9, 2023.
Sec. 25.7. Notwithstanding the amendatory provisions of this act:
1. The State Public Defender who was appointed pursuant to NRS 180.010 as that section existed on June 30, 2025, and who is serving a term on July 1, 2025, is entitled to serve the remainder of the term for which he or she was appointed.
2. The Executive Director who was appointed pursuant to NRS 180.400 as that section existed on June 30, 2025, shall be deemed to have been appointed to a term of 4 years on July 1, 2026.
Sec. 26. This act becomes effective on July 1, 2025.
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