[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6619667,"mediaKeyId","2829555-d0460a3803dc1a4dee3e2002eea07e84","parentId",2829555,"title","Senate committee hears bill to let veterans, first responders adopt shelter pets without fees","audioSeconds",1200,"startMs",1445000,"endMs",2645000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2829555-d0460a3803dc1a4dee3e2002eea07e84&start=1445&end=2645","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2829555-d0460a3803dc1a4dee3e2002eea07e84/thumbnail_1445000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6619667/Nevada/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-let-veterans-first-responders-adopt-shelter-pets-without-fees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619667-fedac640852569db94e0eb6ef8693c76/orig.mp4?Expires=1770826627&Signature=jY0wFU~h15Qemcajw67z1osbwDylRDR3NOYLuW-KcACqTTNGkeuzZDG3iSSypmcAGYxubT8Rr8u3htFnyO6pu~E7uItv04CKDU~HowstR1h-aao9aC7uiPEuFPxfXMkYRvPtenvDeqIEJUNfcvgA6rowVuBnMSIG-q00O23jTpkCDfVgrsjToOiS3jbq~NDK2klSSKOa8YK4S-tXYXO4-Cf~JvtTZ3XKawv4CABxdASbLT~V7fJ-3G48fkT51WglCptvmdoUnoDnXRmD0I9DZ7WQ3iW7lGofCpwshkDQppyzDHQji277QcEIhrj7NfOTkO4-qlT~aoKRWIYo~toE~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada State Legislature","date","2025-04-01T00:39:42.9Z","article","Sen. Fabian Donate introduced Senate Bill 3 25 on the Senate Committee on Government Affairs to create a program allowing counties, incorporated cities and certain nonprofit shelters to waive adoption fees for veterans, law enforcement officers and first responders.

Donate, who represents Senate District 10 in Las Vegas, told the committee the bill “requires a governing body of a county or incorporated city and certain nonprofit organizations that operate an animal shelter to establish a program to waive the adoption fee of certain pets adopted by a person who is a veteran law enforcement officer or first responder” and that the Department of Veterans Services would report to the Legislature on the programs’ use.

The measure traces its concept to California’s SB 245 (the Pets for Vets Act), which Donate said took effect in 2020 and prompted interest among Nevada veterans. Samantha Bivens, a co-presenter, told the committee that data and her work with veterans motivated the bill. “According to the Bridal Foundation shelter statistics for 2024, a total of 3,318 dogs and cats were euthanized last year,” Bivens said, and she cited Veterans Administration figures that she said showed 113 veteran suicides in Nevada in 2022. Bivens said pets can reduce symptoms of PTSD and improve veterans’ emotional and physical health.

Presenters and witnesses emphasized two changes made in a proposed conceptual amendment. First, the bill was changed from a mandatory directive to a permissive authorization: a county or city “may” establish a program rather than “shall.” Second, the amended language limits the waiver to animals at least 6 months old that have been in shelter care for at least seven consecutive days. Donate said those limits were in response to shelter cost concerns raised in meetings with the Bridal Foundation in Las Vegas and to make the program more practicable for local governments and shelters.

Officials and nonprofit representatives from across Nevada voiced support. David Cherry, government affairs manager for the City of Henderson’s animal shelter, said the city “is proud to support this bill.” Isaac Hardy of Humane World for Animals echoed the support. Penny Lambright, founder of Patriots and Paws (a nonprofit working with veterans), described the California law’s origin and urged passage in Nevada, saying the bill “will save money while saving two lives at once.”

Washoe and Clark county representatives testified in neutral, noting the amendment’s permissive approach removed an earlier fiscal note in Washoe County’s analysis. “This amendment does remove the fiscal note that Washoe County had originally submitted,” Cadence Matejevich of Washoe County told the committee. Jeff Rogan, representing Clark County, thanked the sponsor for the opt-in amendment.

The committee took no vote at the hearing and closed the record after testimony from Carson City, Las Vegas and the phone lines. Chair Flores closed the hearing on SB 3 25 with no recorded action.

The bill’s supporters recommended counties and cities that opt in return usage data to the Legislature so lawmakers can evaluate uptake and fiscal impacts. The final language as discussed would leave adoption-fee waivers to local option and require reporting to the Legislature from local governments that choose to adopt the program.

Key procedural notes: the committee limited testimony to two minutes per witness, and the sponsor requested that anyone testifying state their name for the record and provide a business card to the committee secretary if follow-up were needed.

Future steps: No vote occurred at the hearing; the bill remains before the Senate Government Affairs Committee pending any amendments and further committee action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","3/31/2025 - Senate Committee on Government Affairs","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Fabian Donate introduced Senate Bill 3 25 on the Senate Committee on Government Affairs to create a program allowing counties, incorporated cities and certain nonprofit shelters to waive adoption fees for veterans, law enforcement officers and first responders.","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},6619653,"Senate panel considers bill to direct state outreach dollars to rural and community media",1348,5823000,7171000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2829555-d0460a3803dc1a4dee3e2002eea07e84&start=5823&end=7171","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2829555-d0460a3803dc1a4dee3e2002eea07e84/thumbnail_5823000.jpg","/articles/6619653/Nevada/Senate-panel-considers-bill-to-direct-state-outreach-dollars-to-rural-and-community-media","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619653-1f837c07599fd4a02e7dbe3125d55676/orig.mp4?Expires=1770826627&Signature=okkFM40JM~ZsoFULLE81WLvjcSMl7GvxMSvH2bwQSESoWMLM3VKZ2GSbDrDLUJvimsoPmMHVOGN3BtKMD~sSnMWEGjwvvcOq2BNjiapHic9vb95NT2-QrDvL60n~rukZaCC7bDP9YWEZC9dnf7VNCD0rLqfKdluoUIEHh1pfmvR7XY9~44CMnRf0Jvq6gPvYj1sBX43rQO9HrFv4S0tcSk3jCAAWBNoCxAcLxQRPNOHgbnweLBi2mJ1mGaikHeHlNuvbXjnEzJ4eG5eahaiPBtDknTWwV~r1lVtHt-r~jiSgtYJmJ9g~y6pfMdsQE1IlxnIT3OZcR1LvC1dODU-z9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Edgar Flores presented Senate Bill 3 67 to the Senate Committee on Government Affairs to create a rural and community media program within the Department of Administration that would help state departments direct outreach, marketing and advertising to local media outlets in rural and underrepresented communities.

Arturo Carmona, president of the Latino Media Collaborative, described the bill’s intent to expand state partnerships with community newspapers, radio, television and digital outlets that have local trust and reach. ‘‘The creation of a community media program within the Department of Administration would help Nevada maximize the use of these community and rural media as platforms for the state's outreach campaigns,’’ Carmona said, adding that state communications staff are not always aware of the local outlets best positioned to reach rural or language-specific audiences.

Key provisions in the draft amendment presented in committee would: create the rural and community media program in the Department of Administration; direct the program director to develop and maintain a database of rural and community media outlets; provide training and outreach to state departments on using community media; and require an annual report to the Legislature with information on utilization and any contracts or subcontracts.

Supporters argued the change would improve the efficacy of state outreach — for public health, emergency preparedness, benefits enrollment and other public information — by using outlets that have established trust in their communities. Witnesses from small and Hispanic-focused media in Nevada testified in support, including owners who said many community outlets struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic and could benefit from increased state advertising dollars.

Sen. Janie Lisonbee raised concerns about the fragile economics of some rural outlets, noting that a number of newspapers and outlets in remote counties have closed or reduced operations in recent years. Sponsor Flores and witnesses said the program is designed to direct existing state outreach dollars to local outlets, not to create a new broad fiscal obligation, and that training would help agencies use funds more effectively to reach target communities.

Former Senate Majority Leader Moe Dennis and media owners supported the bill as a way to keep local outlets viable and to improve state messaging to diverse communities.

The committee took testimony in person and by phone, heard no opposition at the hearing, and closed the record. Chair Flores closed the hearing with thanks to local media owners and other witnesses; no committee vote was recorded.","SB 367 would create a community media program in the Department of Administration to build a database of rural/community outlets, provide training, and encourage state agencies to direct outreach advertising to local media to improve reach in rural and underrepresented communities.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6619657,"Bill to allow honorably discharged noncitizen veterans who are work-authorized to apply for peace-officer jobs draws emotional testimony",2195,3600000,5795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2829555-d0460a3803dc1a4dee3e2002eea07e84&start=3600&end=5795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2829555-d0460a3803dc1a4dee3e2002eea07e84/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6619657/Nevada/Bill-to-allow-honorably-discharged-noncitizen-veterans-who-are-work-authorized-to-apply-for-peace-officer-jobs-draws-emotional-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619657-8f291655d07357e3d276afbb5c8cf541/orig.mp4?Expires=1770826627&Signature=VQGBwNyH3WgUHU6F2AM5V2XscomnYnDgT5mRcWhxLf~Z0bX4iiY45Zc5j4evJG14vuPJ~zjI3WwE2HGLyJqZiGOv8zkwgpMsony97KXxiCjlDxMgQrmFzkNtzmtFR53J8f3fovIywcE6I8Nzn0Yf4YBPGvVwDvPk5zKhkr2NTNv3Gdb84rSCAVM8QQNxCTtNZHJBOQWGGnt3uzkX0VWGj6MiRg~gQFOxUCY-C02RKjIq0S~FrfnEpy2EWFvUrpkmfcj5Lk83QWcorI2VaxBI0i0D4hZSrnoP4twC-TQ1oguh5BxoAuGGvLctndqOetiNRMB4dhh3A-VT6e8MB8iFog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Edgar Flores presented Senate Bill 155 to the Senate Committee on Government Affairs to permit non-U.S. citizens who were honorably discharged from the U.S. military and are lawfully authorized to work in the United States to apply to become peace officers.

Flores described the bill as narrowly tailored and noted an amendment he said had narrowed its scope. ‘‘What Senate Bill 155 looks to do is allow for non U. S. Citizens who have been honorably discharged from the U. S. Military and are lawfully authorized to work in this country to apply to be members of law enforcement,’’ he told the committee.

Assemblyman Ruben Da Silva, an Army veteran who testified in support, recounted serving in Iraq as a green-card holder and being wounded in combat before obtaining U.S. citizenship. ‘‘While I was in Iraq, I was handling sensitive intelligence data,’’ he said, describing background and security responsibilities he performed as a noncitizen service member.

Flores and supporters said applicants captured by the bill would have already undergone Department of Homeland Security vetting and military background checks; Flores argued that such applicants would, in many cases, have undergone more extensive checks than some other applicants. Flores also emphasized that agencies retain discretion and can deny applicants who do not meet background or training requirements.

Supporters from immigrant and veteran communities told the committee the change would expand a natural career pathway for honorably discharged service members. Isaac Velasquez, testifying from Virginia as a reservist attending training, said lengthy naturalization timelines can delay veterans’ ability to enter local service careers such as policing and that the bill would enable earlier transition for qualified individuals.

The Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Association testified in opposition, citing concerns about establishing good moral character when background information from overseas or prior life stages may be hard to obtain. The association’s witness, Jason Woodard, said a complete background investigation is required under the Peace Officers Bill of Rights and that gaps in accessible records can challenge investigators.

Other law-enforcement representatives testified against or in opposition, citing difficulty completing in-depth background checks when parts of an individual’s history are not accessible to investigators.

Committee members asked for follow-up information about existing statutory language and local hiring practice. Several senators noted statutory passages that appear to allow honorably discharged noncitizens to be employed as officers; witnesses said they would follow up and provide clarifying information to the committee.

No vote was taken at the hearing. The measure remains before the committee pending further information about background-investigation procedures and any technical refinements.","Senate Bill 155 would let non-U.S. citizens who served honorably in the U.S. military and are lawfully authorized to work apply for peace-officer positions; backers said DHS and military vetting provide extensive background checks, while sheriffs' groups raised concerns about verifying applicants' full histories.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6619663,"Senate committee hears proposal to update sheriffs’ and constables’ fee schedules after two decades",718,2544000,3262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2829555-d0460a3803dc1a4dee3e2002eea07e84&start=2544&end=3262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2829555-d0460a3803dc1a4dee3e2002eea07e84/thumbnail_2544000.jpg","/articles/6619663/Nevada/Senate-committee-hears-proposal-to-update-sheriffs-and-constables-fee-schedules-after-two-decades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619663-8f314d4ed4106b26295d3db881b1f9aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770826627&Signature=GSzs9Wfa86UK13Ozaf1XJgg18cvp8anPjWLHsGvcyItiAwslxulMplQMNw8DMulWfjCizxYmVTJwqmR7Sr3oRjSvXZRcQAiuO0QAM3TEkSQjP0dzuWKlzP-Dq4ads8aLksAx7sgBe5gfb0XdSwA2NM8TZ5c4fnTdFY0F5mN0nf4unAKqewuguIlyFfSEtj9FYP72sNBk81fluInkkhVv6BTYLGJEFZ0hhvLGc-EYSUrNbwCvfxS1OvG7vn~wG2bOErV4Y6RXssCM0S~4ShiOmHqxJDVt6-PaxrtRsKNxe~Zk5DoZEMbjj~CL3AeK0QQRM1Y3CWEJ-eClG-fbbz1pjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Sen. Jeff Stone presented Senate Bill 2 10 to the Senate Committee on Government Affairs, saying the bill would revise fee schedules for sheriffs and constables to better match current costs of providing civil-law-enforcement services.

Stone, who represents Senate District 20, said the fees described in NRS 248.275 (for sheriffs) and NRS 258.125 (for constables) have not been updated in roughly 20 years. ‘‘It is my absolute pleasure to present S. B. 2 10 which revises provisions related to law enforcement for certain services,’’ Stone told the committee.

Kenny Taylor, chief constable of Henderson, testified that costs to operate constable and sheriff functions have increased substantially and that some expense categories — notably vehicle insurance — have risen sharply. Taylor said vehicle insurance for his office rose about 300% in February 2024 and argued that updated fees were needed so offices could cover operating costs.

County and law-enforcement representatives supported the bill in committee testimony. Jeff Rogan, representing Clark County, said Clark County subsidized its constable’s office approximately $1.2 million last fiscal year and that many civil service consumers are private commercial clients who should bear enforcement costs rather than taxpayers.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Washoe County sheriff representatives echoed the call for modernization. Jason Walker and Adrien Hunt testified in support on behalf of Washoe County and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, respectively.

Jordan Ross, chair of the Southern Nevada Bridal Constables Alliance and a constable in Laughlin, said increases in insurance, workers’ compensation, liability and mileage justify fee modernization and that many civil enforcement services are used by commercial clients.

Committee members asked whether fee schedules could be modified administratively by counties; Stone and witnesses said state law requires legislative action to adjust the statutory fee schedule. Senator Ellison requested follow-up on statutory language and past county practices; witnesses said they would report back to the committee with any clarifications.

No committee vote was recorded; the hearing closed after supporters testified in person and by phone. Sponsor Stone said the bill ‘‘seeks to modernize the fee schedule for sheriffs and constables ensuring that the fees charged are commensurate with the services provided.’’

The hearing record reflects concerns about fiscal impacts on citizens (eviction and small-case costs) balanced against county officials’ statements that most fee-driven services are used by private firms and property owners.

At the close of the hearing, senators did not vote on SB 210. The bill remains pending further committee action.","SB 210 would raise fees charged by sheriffs and constables for civil services; sponsors said fees have not changed since 2002 and counties are subsidizing offices, while law enforcement and county representatives urged support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee hears bill to let veterans, first responders adopt shelter pets without fees

Senate panel considers bill to direct state outreach dollars to rural and community media

Bill to allow honorably discharged noncitizen veterans who are work-authorized to apply for peace-officer jobs draws emotional testimony

Senate committee hears proposal to update sheriffs’ and constables’ fee schedules after two decades