[{"_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",6612178,"mediaKeyId","2891984-138b7f89f30b96aae4fbb7fd36996b5a","parentId",2891984,"title","Committee approves two bills in work session: AB 340 and AB 512 assigned to floor sponsors","audioSeconds",37,"startMs",1377000,"endMs",1414000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891984-138b7f89f30b96aae4fbb7fd36996b5a&start=1377&end=1414","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891984-138b7f89f30b96aae4fbb7fd36996b5a/thumbnail_1377000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612178/Nevada/Committee-approves-two-bills-in-work-session-AB-340-and-AB-512-assigned-to-floor-sponsors","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612178-0c27f02b9c31901260d44fe3537ee2b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775297200&Signature=MkU0-6nDfLNP1J27bFofSb8kRrKZg9LgEQyCT3XsCHgYMs6ga3tOOs3Db66vCRr96R~7vHVl72yE-tM30CD4~M4hc0oxVttS2IcqWfMckmaflZ-xb50UPtRI5~VLPQAkjA2MtIhjD9E5hV4RVyvBODhv-TKhuxVdR7k2WwE-P7qgzMZPgQUTCw~cG6Jm5mxnBajIVt6xFlhbSycLoy0c8F~Sf2OUxSvAH2UEAYuTpnxDK0rgvBtkRRplvCM6u7TJX0heOeKQSFMvB6fttmAzj-YoR0kOBSM5nbaTJWW5CY-1eWs0NprJyKRX6Jq-6Wj6NriSBYnGAWquzCnLruK3jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada Legislature","date","2025-04-07T23:51:03.27Z","article","In a routine work session at the start of the meeting the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee took action on two previously heard measures.

Assembly Bill 340 (sponsored by the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Health and Human Services) — which would require health insurance to cover certain screenings, assessments and diagnosis, and included two proposed amendments — was the first motion taken. Vice Chair Howdighi moved to amend and do pass AB 340; Assemblymember Torres Fawcett seconded. The committee carried the motion by voice vote. Chair Marzola assigned the bill’s floor statement to Assemblymember Torres Fawcett.

Assembly Bill 512 (Committee on Commerce and Labor) — which proposes revisions relating to casualty insurance and included two proposed amendments — was the second bill on which the committee took action. Vice Chair Howdighi moved to amend and do pass AB 512; Assemblymember Torres Fawcett seconded. The committee carried the motion by voice vote. Chair Marzola assigned the bill’s floor statement to Assemblymember Carter.

The committee recorded the actions by voice vote and did not produce roll‑call tallies in the transcript. No additional details or amendments beyond those noted in the meeting summary were recorded in the public transcript of the work session.

Ending

Both measures were advanced by the committee via voice vote and were assigned floor sponsors as recorded. The committee then proceeded to open hearings on Assembly Bills 500, 414 and 509 later in the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/7/2025 - Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor (1)","oneSentenceSummary","During its work session the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee amended and voted to do pass Assembly Bill 340 and Assembly Bill 512; both motions were carried by voice vote and assigned floor sponsors. The committee then opened hearings on AB 500, AB 414 and AB 509.","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},6612183,"Broadband franchising and rights‑of‑way debate pits incumbent cable company against new entrants; residents cite utility damage",1536,9913000,11449000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891984-138b7f89f30b96aae4fbb7fd36996b5a&start=9913&end=11449","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891984-138b7f89f30b96aae4fbb7fd36996b5a/thumbnail_9913000.jpg","/articles/6612183/Nevada/Broadband-franchising-and-rightsofway-debate-pits-incumbent-cable-company-against-new-entrants-residents-cite-utility-damage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612183-24fa33630303fef413e73ec1d3c06d12/orig.mp4?Expires=1775297200&Signature=IV3S7emy3LWYuGlsKhdx2ATzW6IOR4ws6kfQpjDMy9U-QcthSbRSdvr9dHVWXXBCtcE3F6IDXlmROjhDMK4MnF5K~hNiXuA6SgRDOWfcVh9ZeWASUgYYTCVWtaZze9ZlsbzrlImttdNLgfHzpgVxZVoVFKgrwRIV3uwTBAYK5B-SaSLBZ3jgDzXDd2BGRqJW4trEhZbRFoEpAGiWPAWWfWxrXf7F3pvuYSLTzHy8fjTR-6CTgclGuZJOeWaN1miODvdcG5vkaKrjmQfFbLJP5~lrT-Y9mI8ffpGOggLU5VrD99OShtKYKtUKkMp2fSHq0mk1TutV1SyXnR0apSJS5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Craig Stevens, representing Cox Communications, told the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee Assembly Bill 509 would update Nevada’s right‑of‑way statutes to create a dedicated pathway for “broadband‑only” providers to obtain local franchise agreements appropriate to their services rather than forcing them into existing telecommunications certificates.

“Broadband‑only providers are coming into our state,” Stevens said. “They’re not providing telecommunications services in the legacy sense, but they need a clear lane to access the public right of way without being required to take a certificate on services they don’t provide.” Stevens said the bill would close a loophole in which some providers obtain a telecommunications certificate they do not actually use and that the change would allow local governments to negotiate franchise terms that reflect the provider’s business model.

Supporters and local officials said a modernized framework could help cities negotiate access and compensation that reflects the new market. Patricia Haddad Bennett, co‑founder of the Downtown Las Vegas Neighborhood Coalition, described long, disruptive construction near homes and said the local governments’ franchise and permitting processes left residents without adequate notice. “For the past 280 days and counting, my neighbors and I have experienced significant and costly disruptions to our daily lives due to a wholesale fiber installation project,” she said.

Opposition from multiple broadband and wholesale providers was stark. Angie Welling, general manager for expansion at Google Fiber, told the committee AB 509 would destabilize the legal foundation providers use to plan and finance networks and said Google Fiber would likely halt investment in Nevada if the law allowed retroactive revocation of certificates of public convenience and necessity. “If passed in its current or frankly any similar form, we believe Google Fiber would have no reasonable option but to halt all investment in Nevada immediately,” Welling testified.

GigaPower, a wholesale open‑access operator, and other wholesale providers told the committee they negotiate tailored agreements with individual municipalities; they said a one‑size‑fits‑all statewide approach would favor incumbent operators and could force wholesale builders to reassess expansion plans in Nevada.

Municipal officials and city legal representatives said local governments already negotiate franchise and right‑of‑way agreements and that the bill’s sponsor and other stakeholders should refine statutory language so new entrants and cities can reach consistent, enforceable deals. Randy Robinson of the City of Las Vegas and Nicole Roark of the City of Henderson said they were working with proponents on technical amendments to address municipal concerns.

The hearing also touched on fiscal and equity issues. Several witnesses recommended a standard practice of a modest gross‑revenue fee (witnesses cited 2 percent as a common local arrangement for broadband-only franchises), while proponents noted the federal mixed‑use rule historically distinguishes cable/video franchise fees from broadband‑only revenue. The bill’s fiscal note was flagged as large under the initial draft, and witnesses said amendments would be needed to reduce administrative impacts.

Ending

AB 509 exposed deep division between incumbent cable companies seeking what they describe as regulatory parity and new fiber firms, municipalities and consumer advocates who worry the proposed state framework would chill investment or favor established firms. Committee members directed additional stakeholder work; no committee vote occurred at the hearing.","Cox Communications sponsored a bill to create a specific path for broadband‑only providers to obtain local franchise agreements; Google Fiber, wholesale fiber firms and several cities warned the language could undercut existing certificates and deter investment. A neighborhood group described months of damage from a wholesale fiber project.",{"_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},6612186,"Assembly hearing spotlights indoor air and heat risks for warehouse and convention workers; sponsors seek monitoring and cooling rules",814,2162000,2976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891984-138b7f89f30b96aae4fbb7fd36996b5a&start=2162&end=2976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891984-138b7f89f30b96aae4fbb7fd36996b5a/thumbnail_2162000.jpg","/articles/6612186/Nevada/Assembly-hearing-spotlights-indoor-air-and-heat-risks-for-warehouse-and-convention-workers-sponsors-seek-monitoring-and-cooling-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612186-412f978ec86bc822fbe536eab2b4fd34/orig.mp4?Expires=1775297200&Signature=JwQTvo08PhT7a-KjKD-63eBPdKuB01XpDJ45u~Nk00oaI1xVSdM-Nc~I9sDi6ubdm~lR2tZy42ppRcGOM1qVUEFNS-aXbFwsN0e8Zy~~e-OR9SdDE-qJgHfCd2IaieYsqfvkaPq3yzC05lS5D7i7mWhd0PzBO5txty4zBiKBHoo6bdGKSsaHafn3Rr4gm3ML~Oue2kNfSIGj~KaMZJuff4bv7a9CfpX1LR9TsCp6gAWwdjUE0iV9SDAHSM8mKk6hemjArBtwFSpKZTciJX7OP18DnK-p8goh1fMpOtoR~fUls~9Sh1EYj5lPZNwz7HRAWp7a9Zu6N8~JRx7yPCK4ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Cynthia Moore (Assembly District 11) told the committee that Assembly Bill 414 would address indoor air quality and greenhouse‑gas exposure for workers in warehouses, distribution centers and convention facilities.

“Employees who work indoors in industries like manufacturing and distribution centers are not just vulnerable to extreme heat, they're also vulnerable to poor air quality,” Moore said in opening remarks. She said indoor workers have waited too long for protections and that the standard regulatory process can take years.

Tom Morley, representing Teamsters Local 631, laid out the core operational requests in the bill: OSHA‑approved gas monitors with alarms, monitoring checks every four hours recorded for regulators and unions, cross‑ventilation fans in enclosed spaces, cooling stations when temperatures exceed 103°F and coverage focused on large enclosed workplaces (proposed threshold 10,000 square feet).

“OSHA recognizes the most hazardous greenhouse gases in closed environments being nitrous oxide, fluorocarbons, methane, and CO2,” Morley told the committee. He said the bill would require periodic monitoring and rapid mitigation when hazardous concentrations occur.

Stagehands and convention workers described firsthand problems they say are endemic in arenas and exhibit halls. Edward Goodrich, business agent for IATSE Local 363, described fumes that “literally pull air into the building from the loading docks” and said he had experienced nausea and decreasing visibility during set‑ups when air handlers were not running. “Fainting when performing tasks in this environment can be fatal,” Goodrich said.

Labor organizations, nurses and environmental justice groups uniformly supported the bill. Ross Kinson of the Northern Nevada Central Labor Council said the bill is “a matter of worker protection” and urged enactment. Several union speakers and the Nevada AFL‑CIO urged the committee to act quickly.

Business and trade groups urged caution or opposed AB 414 as drafted. The Las Vegas Chamber, Nevada Trucking Association, Retail Association of Nevada, Nevada Resort Association, Nevada Manufacturers Association and Associated General Contractors argued that Nevada OSHA has already adopted heat standards that will take effect this season and that such regulatory changes should be implemented and evaluated before adding overlapping statutory mandates. Paul Moratkin of the Las Vegas Chamber said the chamber had committed to working with Nevada OSHA on regulations and called AB 414 “premature.”

Truckers emphasized interactions between anti‑idling laws and worker protections. Paul Enos of the Nevada Trucking Association said many trucks rely on auxiliary power units so drivers can run cabin cooling; he warned that a strict anti‑idling provision could unintentionally deny drivers a way to manage heat while loading or unloading.

Division staff told the committee they had worked with sponsors on technical amendments. Victoria Carrion, administrator for the Division of Industrial Relations, said OSHA would handle enforcement and that the division’s safety consultation unit could provide free consultations to employers. Carrion also said the division estimated the instrumentation and training to support initial monitoring would be a one‑time roughly $70,000 fiscal cost and that division staff could operate four gas monitors (two in Northern Nevada and two in Southern Nevada) to begin enforcement and training.

Sponsors said the bill had been adjusted to address some industry concerns, including an exemption for small employers; Morley said negotiators were discussing a threshold of 15 employees per shift as an exemption point. He also said certain industries such as hazardous‑materials cleanup and towing were proposed for a limited exemption because they operate under distinct insurance and hazmat protocols.

Ending

AB 414 drew sharply divided testimony. Labor groups and public‑health advocates urged immediate statutory protection for indoor workers exposed to heat and exhaust; trade associations and employers urged the committee to let the newly adopted Nevada OSHA heat rules take effect and to refine enforcement details. Sponsors and division staff said they were working on technical amendments, including exemptions for smaller employers and coordination with OSHA enforcement.","Sponsor said AB 414 would require monitoring and safeguards for employees in large indoor workplaces. Labor unions and nurses backed the bill; business groups and trade associations said Nevada OSHA rules should be implemented first and warned of costs and overlap with existing regulations.",{"_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},6612192,"Assembly committee hears long debate on Nevada Payments Bank Act creating new state charter for payments firms",5887,1513000,7400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891984-138b7f89f30b96aae4fbb7fd36996b5a&start=1513&end=7400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891984-138b7f89f30b96aae4fbb7fd36996b5a/thumbnail_1513000.jpg","/articles/6612192/Nevada/Assembly-committee-hears-long-debate-on-Nevada-Payments-Bank-Act-creating-new-state-charter-for-payments-firms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612192-4875203dbbd55f1fbf8d96a329f37d38/orig.mp4?Expires=1775297200&Signature=YdZokBzQzeRVEpmr6fQ8OEXdR6K6s6xYR2YY3LHqmL9fxfaE3R8jm6ZIsHliPKx4TQzD9CGJlRROc~iEjjRkOyYFOYw1m9NZaShLmX2MIBI~DXqtFSpAJb9By3P~It4o2MmhHziB8WOgQJAKGH5Hbqly7euBhG9ZUMNTCtogE8RLg~4U8Nwp0NwCtgojRgx0KUStoLOVr6muv1EgIZxHYfXdrXTF3-Ipv6cj3~gELIgHzXtWfkjCzGJ0rg1JKLjnLRuJ8hIBD8iEnwJNOg8U4MOaX2~lf~XJzSbRm4sB~I6WWIMLtDjyTaSGgaL556PKmVycT3basOplz5smjnbTdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Steve Yeager, sponsor of Assembly Bill 500, told the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee the measure would establish a new Nevada payments bank charter to regulate companies that focus on processing payments rather than making loans.

Yeager (Assembly District 9) said the Nevada Payments Bank Act would create a specialized state banking charter for firms that “move money” and would allow qualified companies to apply for direct access to core payment systems such as ACH, Fedwire and FedNow. “This is legislation that puts Nevada at the cutting edge of financial innovation,” Yeager said.

Supporters argued the charter would cut costs and reduce dependence on traditional full‑service banks. Brian Wachter, senior vice president of the Retail Association of Nevada, said merchants pay multiple layers of fees today and that new entrants under the charter would “simplify everything for businesses” by reducing middlemen and lowering processing costs. Paul Dwyer, co‑founder and CEO of Via Americas, and Adam Shapiro, partner at Claros Group, told the committee state charters for payment‑focused firms have worked in other countries and in several U.S. states as a way to align regulation with activity.

Proponents described guardrails in the bill. Adam Shapiro said the charter limits risks that payment banks can take, notably by prohibiting lending and requiring investments in high‑quality liquid assets; he said protections such as standards for customer due diligence, suspicious activity reporting and treatment of unauthorized transactions would mirror bank‑grade controls where applicable. Simon McLoughlin, CEO of Uphold, said the charter would give fintech firms greater certainty of access to U.S. payment rails.

Opponents and skeptical stakeholders raised implementation and oversight concerns. Connor Kane of the Nevada Bankers Association said regulators must apply “the same high standards” as to other institutions and warned the Financial Institutions Division (FID) will need resources to supervise the new charter. Kane said the association remained open to conversations but was opposed to the bill in its current form.

Committee members pressed witnesses about FDIC insurance and alternatives. Brian Wachter said the bill allows applicants to meet deposit protection requirements through FDIC insurance or alternatives such as private insurance, surety bonding and other guarantees acceptable to the commissioner. Greg Kidd, a former Federal Reserve staffer who now invests in fintech, said the federal regulators determine access to the Fed’s payment rails and that institutions without FDIC insurance would typically need to obtain permission or operate through correspondent arrangements.

Committee questions also focused on consumer impact, business continuity and job creation. Witnesses said the charter could create compliance, risk and technology jobs in Nevada and that lower merchant acquiring costs could translate to savings for businesses and — indirectly — consumers. Greg Kidd illustrated price differences in transaction processing, saying, “I know what we charge for a bank to do an ACH transaction, and I know what we pay for that transaction when we're doing bill pay. We pay 25¢, and the Federal Reserve charges a quarter of a cent.” Advocates said better access and competition could reduce such markups over time.

Regulatory next steps and amendments were discussed. Proponents told the committee they have been negotiating language with the Nevada Bankers Association and FID to ensure the division has resources to oversee new licensees. Brian Wachter said an amendment addressing funding for FID was under development and that proponents were willing to refine statutory language on licensing, consumer protections and deposit safeguards.

No formal committee action was taken on AB 500 during the hearing; committee members and sponsors said they plan further stakeholder work on amendments and regulatory implementation if the bill advances.

Ending

Assembly Bill 500 generated extensive technical testimony and sharp disagreements about how best to regulate payment‑focused firms. Supporters argued the charter would modernize payments and lower costs for Nevada businesses; regulators, bankers and some credit unions sought clarified oversight, funding and explicit consumer protections before supporting a final measure. The committee left the hearing open for additional stakeholder negotiations.","Supporters told the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee the bill would cut costs for merchants and modernize payment rails; bankers and credit unions warned about oversight funding, FDIC insurance and systemic risk. No final vote was taken at the hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves two bills in work session: AB 340 and AB 512 assigned to floor sponsors

Broadband franchising and rights‑of‑way debate pits incumbent cable company against new entrants; residents cite utility damage

Assembly hearing spotlights indoor air and heat risks for warehouse and convention workers; sponsors seek monitoring and cooling rules

Assembly committee hears long debate on Nevada Payments Bank Act creating new state charter for payments firms