[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6659918,"mediaKeyId","2439743-5aef0109b62726d2ba710d1d60c5f817","parentId",2439743,"title","Nevada committee hears bill to allow volunteer poll workers and restore some post‑conviction employment rights","audioSeconds",1688,"startMs",1129000,"endMs",2817000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2439743-5aef0109b62726d2ba710d1d60c5f817&start=1129&end=2817","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2439743-5aef0109b62726d2ba710d1d60c5f817/thumbnail_1129000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6659918/Nevada/Nevada-committee-hears-bill-to-allow-volunteer-poll-workers-and-restore-some-postconviction-employment-rights","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659918-5678a0915c69b1cd30f738c28e412f5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775617235&Signature=ke9UVUtPvTEjaZdaEsux~8ZxnFuyox9vh4UBy3Dw5ekI2aCKhNr-0o4CVofeGeIS1-Jymdw3QKbcQHTXIYy5mGrGGwk370Vri9AD3wx~5rmr1D~u6r76B7o6M3D-4srf27TxhbwlaE4T9ifzOG~k9NzencNUMvd6ihquxfhoBFS8f3FJeSvcoKy2MBYw4S89oFGhl-MJ2CJSFwm~qYG2ZF3qrQtgGumrEgqdhvnd-uAkVlFO5YFxubasnaiXuntfTJr19m~H6NkpDy4UK2IfuqHBOg6K6Ww0OG7uz44RHzEcHVz9ysREjqZch1hjp3kyySE7cyOGtCYQy12k24faXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada Legislature","date","2025-02-28T01:55:05.117Z","article","Assembly Members heard testimony on Assembly Bill 262 on a proposal to allow poll workers the option to serve without compensation and to remove statutory bars that prevent some people with prior felony convictions involving theft or fraud from serving as field registrars or working at voter registration agencies.

Assembly Member Cecilia Gonzales, the bill's presenter, told the committee the measure \"seeks to address some of those concerns and aims to increase the number of election workers for our future elections.\" Gonzales said the bill offers two primary changes: an option for poll workers to decline pay and repeal of provisions that bar certain people with past felony convictions involving theft or fraud from registrar roles. She said the volunteer option \"is an option, not a requirement.\"

Supporters said the changes would expand the pool of available workers. Ryan Vortish of Silver State Voices said the volunteer option would protect retirees' PERS benefits and \"create an opportunity for greater institutional knowledge and retention among those running our elections.\" Jennifer Willett of All Voting Is Local Action Nevada and Eric Jeng of oneAPIA Nevada also urged support, saying the bill would make it easier for students, retirees and people reentering the community after incarceration to participate in running elections.

Opponents raised concerns about election integrity and constitutional or federal conflicts. Oscar Williams, testifying in opposition, argued that relying on volunteers could undermine the quality and competence of election staff and said the bill risked creating special local legislation prohibited by the Nevada Constitution. Ellen Gifford cited specific Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) provisions removed by the bill—NRS 293.5045 and NRS 293.505—and asked the committee to confirm compliance with federal law and coordination with the secretary of defense for voter registration agencies associated with military recruitment offices. Iris Stone, another opponent, said removing prohibitions could reduce public confidence and questioned whether unpaid work could hinder timely, accurate administration of elections.

Committee members asked clarifying questions. Assemblymember Cole asked whether there are cases where a person convicted of a felony would not have restored rights; Vice Chair Gonzales replied she would follow up with an answer. The bill also makes conforming changes to the Las Vegas Charter and the Airport Authority Acts for Battle Mountain and Carson City to allow certain officers to opt to serve without compensation.

No formal vote was recorded in the transcript. The hearing closed after public testimony and committee discussion, with questions and requests for follow‑up information recorded in the hearing record.

Supporters framed the bill as a practical response to a recurring poll‑worker shortage and as consistent with restoring civil rights after sentence completion. Opponents emphasized risks to public confidence and urged additional legal review before advancing the measure.

The committee did not record a final action on AB 262 during the hearing. Committee members requested follow‑up on statutory interactions and whether rights restoration always occurs after release from incarceration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2/27/2025 - Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections","oneSentenceSummary","Assembly Members heard testimony on Assembly Bill 262 on a proposal to allow poll workers the option to serve without compensation and to remove statutory bars that prevent some people with prior felony convictions involving theft or fraud from serving as field registrars or working at voter registration agencies.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NV, Nevada","taxId",78440,"location","Nevada","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659914,"Panel hears resolution to create independent commission to set pay for Nevada elected officers",2998,2797000,5795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2439743-5aef0109b62726d2ba710d1d60c5f817&start=2797&end=5795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2439743-5aef0109b62726d2ba710d1d60c5f817/thumbnail_2797000.jpg","/articles/6659914/Nevada/Panel-hears-resolution-to-create-independent-commission-to-set-pay-for-Nevada-elected-officers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659914-ec746b188ac8f17fea184ddf30afd825/orig.mp4?Expires=1775617235&Signature=ofk~tk~TK~1CMU01Xxr-U~4jxda1~f-Bt6mW68bFCNdz7OMU9gVuYUH563w3wLPu9yzBqbpUbvJhqmHXvvx4nlcAnu18Yg4JSU4qHtg-kfhmCaQNwAiqM-N913nGYNUBKyowwLzvYJG9llmZVYtVK49ZJKm51z5KQuzg9oUXMOdyc4C0WFt7wQeE40MrKKv-fSv~8pEegOCE60eBKbHonoG7FS66mmYNRIX97E4DbS6iRFbdijMTlwtuBDWJlDi-e4~aHhvwHH4fQDvEYhclEEWvzWSYH9zfKLVnl5j9kkJFKWetWr-FzQOp2T-ETXTQjFZk3Z703ncMJSZhxO8pCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assembly members heard Assembly Joint Resolution 7, a proposed constitutional amendment to establish a citizen commission to set salaries and benefits for the legislature and certain constitutional officers.

Sponsor Howard Watts (Assembly District 15) told the committee the measure would transfer authority to set pay from the legislature to a seven‑member independent commission appointed by the governor and composed of representatives from public compensation expertise, nonprofit and public interests, business, labor and the general public. \"We should not have legislators setting their own pay,\" Watts said, arguing an independent body would reduce perceptions of self‑dealing and provide stability.

Watts said the commission would study comparable positions, hold at least four public meetings before filing an initial pay schedule and could thereafter change compensation by up to 15% in either direction when updating schedules. He said the first schedule would be filed in 2029 under the draft timeline and acknowledged timing language might need adjustment to align with the budget process.

Witnesses from civil‑rights and labor groups, former legislators and other organizations testified in support. Kayla Maese of the ACLU of Nevada endorsed the measure. Former legislator Warren Hardy described financial barriers he faced while serving and urged the committee to allow voters to decide. Ross Kinson of the AFL‑CIO and David Goldwater of the Nevada Mining Association also testified in favor, describing the proposal as a transparent and balanced approach.

Opponents urged alternatives or cautioned about concentrating appointment power in the governor. Janine Hansen of the Independent American Party said she supports higher legislative pay but suggested an immediate statutory raise that takes effect in the distant future as an alternative. Caller Oscar Williams urged creating an advisory board and argued the resolution would vest appointment power without explicit partisan balance.

Committee members asked about commission appointment methods, geographic access to public meetings and the experience of other states. Watts said states vary in structure and that most commissions are governor‑appointed; he referenced Assembly Joint Resolution 10 (2015) as the earlier version of a similar approach. Several committee members suggested adding statutory language to require geographically distributed public meetings.

No formal vote was recorded in the hearing. Watts said he would continue to work on technical tweaks and cosponsors before the measure returns to the legislature for the second constitutional reading required to reach the ballot.","Assembly Joint Resolution 7 would amend the Nevada Constitution to create a seven‑member citizens commission to set salaries and benefits for the legislature and certain constitutional officers; sponsor said the change would remove conflicts of interest from self‑setting pay and align compensation with duties.","actionData","errors"]

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Nevada committee hears bill to allow volunteer poll workers and restore some post‑conviction employment rights

Panel hears resolution to create independent commission to set pay for Nevada elected officers