In Las Vegas, state lawmakers in Nevada concluded their regular 2025 legislative session early on Tuesday, following a burst of activity on the final day. This session, under Democratic control, wrapped up as Republican Governor Joe Lombardo is poised to take action on a multitude of bills passed during the session. Throughout 2023, Lombardo has vetoed a historic number of 75 bills. The Nevada Legislature engages biennially, only convening in odd-numbered years.
Before the session commenced, Governor Lombardo encouraged lawmakers to set aside their political differences to address pressing issues such as affordable housing and education. While some of his major legislative proposals were unsuccessful, including a comprehensive crime bill that sought to impose harsher penalties for specific offenses, Lombardo succeeded in other areas like election reforms and educational advancements.
“As this session draws to a close, I am pleased to announce that we have made significant strides in addressing two critical issues: the escalating cost of housing and enhancing K-12 educational outcomes,” Lombardo declared in a statement.
Elections
– Voter ID and Ballot Boxes: A notable compromise was reached on the session’s final day with the passage of a bill reviving Democrats’ earlier vetoed attempt to increase mail ballot drop boxes statewide. In exchange, new voter ID requirements—backed by Lombardo—were introduced. Historically, Nevada Democrats have resisted GOP-led initiatives to mandate photo identification for voters at polling stations. This development follows a recently passed voter ID ballot measure in November, which would need to clear another vote in 2026 to amend the state constitution.
– Primary Elections for Nonpartisan Voters: In the session’s penultimate week, Democratic Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager proposed a last-minute bill allowing nonpartisan voters to participate in Republican or Democratic primary elections, excluding presidential primaries. Nonpartisan voter registration now surpasses that of both major parties in the swing state. This proposal differs from the rejected November initiative that sought to implement open primaries and ranked-choice voting for all voters.
Education
– Teacher Raises: A bill ensuring salary increases for teachers at charter schools received overwhelming support in both chambers. Lombardo had previously indicated that he would veto the state’s education budget if it failed to account for pay hikes for charter school teachers, prompting Yeager to incorporate these raises into the proposal.
– Police Use of Force in Schools: An approved proposal now requires the Clark County School District’s police department—among the nation’s largest—to disclose its data on instances of officer use of force, including the deployment of stun guns, batons, and pepper spray.
Housing
– “Attainable” Housing: A significant initiative spearheaded by Lombardo aimed at extending affordable housing opportunities successfully passed. This bill allocates $133 million in state funds for housing projects targeting the “missing middle”—individuals who don’t qualify for affordable housing yet can’t afford to purchase homes.
– Renter Protections: Several bills orientated towards enhancing protections for renters passed along party lines. They include a pilot program to cap rent prices for seniors for a year and another permitting tenants to file expedited legal complaints against landlords over unsafe living conditions, such as defective air conditioning or door locks.
Public Safety
– Lombardo’s Crime Bill: Despite Lombardo’s law enforcement background and previous role as Las Vegas’ elected sheriff, his aggressive crime bill failed after eleventh-hour modifications and missed legislative deadlines. The bill sought to impose harsher penalties for crimes, including “smash-and-grab” thefts and acts of violence against hospitality workers, a newly proposed protected class.
Other Matters
– Film Tax Credits: A heavily scrutinized bill backed by Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. aimed at awarding substantial tax credits to stimulate film production in Southern Nevada, notably establishing a 31-acre studio near the Las Vegas Strip, was unsuccessful. An attempt at similar legislation failed in 2023.
– Defining Antisemitism: A newly passed bill establishes a definition of antisemitism to guide state investigations into discrimination within housing, employment, and public accommodations. Despite being approved, it incited debate over concerns that the definition might be too expansive and potentially restrict legitimate criticism of Israel.
– State Lottery: Backed by the influential Culinary Workers Union representing 60,000 employees in the hospitality sector, the proposal to overturn Nevada’s long-standing lottery ban did not pass, falling short at the Legislature’s significant deadline in April.