[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6537494,"mediaKeyId","3536551-1b7d84f17c4e757407a964ec9409d92c","parentId",3536551,"title","Ways and Means clears a slate of Assembly bills in work session; dozens of measures advance with unanimous voice votes","audioSeconds",2081,"startMs",5561000,"endMs",7642000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536551-1b7d84f17c4e757407a964ec9409d92c&start=5561&end=7642","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536551-1b7d84f17c4e757407a964ec9409d92c/thumbnail_5561000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537494/Nevada/Ways-and-Means-clears-a-slate-of-Assembly-bills-in-work-session-dozens-of-measures-advance-with-unanimous-voice-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537494-22c68f0064c00bcabab1b2b882e7fbb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158541&Signature=TDVdnrQSkgamhffEiU8idd4N8q22siYBQgJ4V9400QnyuSNnbtIE23DmUynBtb9BBBmdu0SMqfvNgaD3qmyl-imuXJpZRpjK3iLWy6BvR5lbdyYC4loFJu3SlYKI-ZvVtd6KUnQcYH0XCRuKv08EhegASZ7A-FUHhPZhLMnBRay5Urk1h6cita26IoYbnWCT2KGl3RaZ3ck1J8~OTJqmW3whwXSrAP0YbQ5GAGfxPQXyj7DL65526BhefXWx4ErGHpORYFoZ9OO7V9ZUXcHAwhi0DSLXjjzJMPNRtE25kfjFoVHzfrYPPI-6JOBHj5GkfKR1y-42QPRIoVcfvMFQWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada Legislature","date","2025-05-28T03:39:58.953Z","article","In a series of brief actions during a Ways and Means work session, the committee approved a package of Assembly bills on motions to \"do pass\" or \"amend and do pass\" after fiscal staff presented summaries. Most motions were moved by Assemblymember Bacchus and seconded by other committee members, and were carried by voice vote.

Selected bills advanced and key points (committee actions):

- AB 212: Removes pilot language from the virtual early childhood family engagement program, extending its expiration to Sept. 30, 2027, and contains a general‑fund appropriation of $1,000,000 in each year of the upcoming biennium to DHHS. Motion: due pass as amended. (Mover: Assemblymember Bacchus; Second: Assemblymember Hategui; motion carried.)

- AB 221: Exempts certain physician offices from state permitting requirements for administering general anesthesia/sedation when the physician is also licensed as a dentist and holds a dental anesthesia permit. Motion: due pass. (Mover: Assemblymember Bacchus; Second: Assemblymember Hategui; motion carried.)

- AB 234: Requires the DHHS director to include lung, prostate and colorectal cancer screening under Medicaid; a conceptual amendment narrowed the scope and addressed fiscal concerns; motion: amend and do pass as amended. (Mover: Assemblymember Bacchus; Second: Assemblymember Hodeg; motion carried.)

- AB 243: Expands partial property‑tax exemptions for surviving spouses of service members killed in action and allows deposit of exempted amounts to veteran home gift accounts; conceptual amendment adds a definition for Nevada Gold Star surviving spouse. Motion: amend and do pass as amended. (Mover: Assemblymember Bacchus; Second: Assemblymember Hadegui; motion carried.)

- AB 251: Revises custom processing and mobile processing licensing for meat and poultry; fiscal impacts related to transferred positions and passage of companion bill SB466 were discussed; motion: amend and do pass as amended. (Mover: Assemblymember Bacchus; Second: Assemblymember Hadeghi; motion carried.)

- AB 284: Requires Medicaid to seek federal authority to reimburse at least 80% of costs for vagus nerve stimulation devices and associated procedures; fiscal estimates and proposed clarifying amendment were accepted. Motion: amend and do pass as amended. (Mover: Assemblymember Bacchus; Second: Assemblymember Watts; motion carried.)

- AB 296: Authorizes DMV to offer installment loans for registration fees, to permit digital license plates and to cap financed fees at 15% of amount financed; conceptual amendment adopted. Motion: amend and do pass as amended. (Mover: Assemblymember Bacchus; Second: Assemblymember Hategui; motion carried.)

- AB 328, AB 331, AB 336, AB 428, AB 49, AB 500 and others: Fiscal summaries were provided for each; motions to do pass or amend and do pass were made and carried by voice vote in the work session. Notably, AB 500 would require licensure and regulation of payment banks by the Commissioner of Financial Institutions and carried a large start‑up fiscal note; one committee member recorded a public no on the committee floor but the motion passed.

Procedure and context: Committee members declined to extend discussion on items that had been vetted in prior hearings and accepted fiscal staff presentations. Where conceptual amendments were offered at bill hearings, staff described their effect on fiscal notes and implementation.

Votes and procedure: Most measures passed by voice vote with Chairs calling for \"aye\" and recording no opposition in committee. Formal roll call votes were not recorded for these items in the work‑session excerpts in the transcript.

What’s next: The measures advanced out of the committee as amended or as presented and will proceed to the next steps in the legislative process. Several items referenced companion bills or additional approvals that could affect fiscal outcomes and implementation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5/27/2025 - Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, Pt. 2","oneSentenceSummary","The committee approved a series of bills in a work session, advancing multiple health, education, agriculture, taxation and insurance bills (AB212, AB221, AB234, AB243, AB251, AB284, AB296, AB328, AB331, AB336, AB428, AB49, AB500 and others) largely on unanimous voice votes after fiscal summaries.","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},6537499,"Committee hears amended AB188 to raise retiree HRA cap and require biennial cost report; fiscal questions remain",1219,16208000,17427000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536551-1b7d84f17c4e757407a964ec9409d92c&start=16208&end=17427","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536551-1b7d84f17c4e757407a964ec9409d92c/thumbnail_16208000.jpg","/articles/6537499/Nevada/Committee-hears-amended-AB188-to-raise-retiree-HRA-cap-and-require-biennial-cost-report-fiscal-questions-remain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537499-0a260989b7c3d4a1d297ab3cd3c2e566/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158541&Signature=HVrJBKJq1pf~iiXMJ0z13k9wH7XM~QLZZEJptjbSNNkjgWa3D1SMQXVlCZfhDRomG2nGc2V5XbbvjGbREYrv8PEm0T6Jl-rL0xGLyaxw~O8X9lNYSGj5dAaFj6nzNv9Tywcxm3znNNa93CjGEg2qwvjrZEc~N5DJKMvk6chG1n3e~4QwMqcoeTwG3XCHQxvg0eygxYltvvv643s~sqIqyxrL-tKdLVF0upKiK3USzCPzss5H28nf7FsogpUkCrnYTA8aa~y9h1CQO9mWvgiuy0G6hijTr47~suyKDvwBjxuJcwpWqUgVK9uLjmk8kUA48LnXRLy53zMMj4qleXkGEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members heard Assembly Bill 188, which the sponsor amended after receiving fiscal feedback. The revised bill removes language that would have reinstated employer health coverage for certain retired state employees and instead focuses on increasing the cap on Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) provided to Medicare‑age retirees and requesting a biennial cost report on coverage for Medicare‑eligible retirees.

Sponsor and fiscal background: Sponsor Max Carter told the committee that prior language to restore retiree health coverage produced a large fiscal note; the amendment removes that restoration so the fiscal exposure is substantially reduced. Carter said the most recent fiscal note was limited to funding two management analyst positions—about $214,832 for the upcoming biennium—and asked PEB staff to clarify the basis for the note.

What remains in the bill: The amendment would raise the HRA cap (historically $8,000) to an amount tied to five years of maximum contribution (approximately $15,000 as discussed in committee), allowing retirees to carry a larger balance for Medicare premiums, dental, vision and other out‑of‑pocket costs. The bill would also direct the Public Employees' Benefits Program (PEBP) to produce a biennial report on the costs faced by Medicare retirees.

Support and concerns: Retiree groups, the Nevada Faculty Alliance, AFSCME and firefighters supported the shift to HRA‑cap relief and the reporting requirement. Several witnesses said that the increased cap would help retirees deal with healthcare expenses such as dental implants, off‑formulary medications and specialty procedures. The Vegas Chamber said any restoration of subsidies would raise solvency concerns; the amendment seeks to address those concerns by removing the restoration provision.

Fiscal clarity requested: Committee members pressed PEB to explain why the reporting requirement would require additional full‑time staff and asked for an explanation of actuarial assumptions underlying earlier fiscal estimates. Sponsor and witnesses emphasized that the amendment resolves the large‑scale fiscal exposure that originally led to a $175‑million estimate, but the committee requested PEB to supply an updated, itemized fiscal explanation.

Outcome: The committee held the hearing, heard support and neutral testimony, and requested updated fiscal materials from PEB. No final committee vote is recorded in the hearing excerpt; sponsors said they would provide PEB’s clarifying information to the committee as soon as it was available.","Assembly Bill 188, amended to remove a provision that would have restored employer health coverage to post‑2011 hires, would raise the cap on retiree health reimbursement accounts and require a biennial report on Medicare‑age retiree costs; the committee sought clarification from PEB on an updated fiscal note.",{"_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},6537504,"Committee reviews AB596, a new bill seeking hundreds of millions to implement bargaining agreements for multiple state unions",1687,17443000,19130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536551-1b7d84f17c4e757407a964ec9409d92c&start=17443&end=19130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536551-1b7d84f17c4e757407a964ec9409d92c/thumbnail_17443000.jpg","/articles/6537504/Nevada/Committee-reviews-AB596-a-new-bill-seeking-hundreds-of-millions-to-implement-bargaining-agreements-for-multiple-state-unions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537504-8705b7a36d9539ce05dec93fb6e6dc3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158541&Signature=a~3~uotDEAHDX~KzQQ7GS2rzij2usbRXIlhJ-6BfJDbmIfC8FM8D5jLKdDmkMZEl2TdaCoMoVFnHv2zfiMgPYLEJpxp6qph4jAusSHcuXo1rGVHhxjRLFFHs6TIhoVBsijzjSEYnqAXo5JSUqgpRbVf4UJsFtH60zGfNydYNgvhJxqYXzpYmA7RL2ewij01~Aybu6wJuiHJcHgWtTD7c14~M3Y~w~HeMEn0tEFraLYpNmDn5Qq8DQdcrAPGE-Jm4wYx015Wfju6LWpGtBYq4G101fQ2ZZpr-tGjeCJdX2aKZQ~M~xn3yunD4iLhjgbqDRlpVv0oMX~byGcv8~kY8og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Ways and Means received a policy and fiscal presentation on Assembly Bill 596, a newly introduced bill that would appropriate general‑fund money to implement a series of collective bargaining agreements reached between the State and multiple employee unions.

What the bill proposes: The governor’s finance office told the committee the bill contains specific appropriations to implement negotiated terms across several bargaining units, including AFSCME Local 4041 (multiple units), Nevada Police Union units, MPOA, FOP and other public‑safety and employment units. Provisions across the contracts include 3% salary increases each year of the upcoming biennium for many units, retention incentives, annual leave cash‑outs up to 40 hours, tool/uniform allowances, education and certification pay, personal leave days, pooled union leave hours, and certain line‑of‑duty benefits.

Fiscal details presented in committee: Fiscal staff itemized per‑unit appropriations during the hearing. The bill as presented lists individual general‑fund amounts for multiple units (examples from the committee presentation): $90,209,716 for several AFSCME units; $57,464,302 for an additional AFSCME unit; $25,125,646 for a Nevada Police Union unit; $130,891,224 for an FOP‑related package; and a number of smaller appropriations and allowances. Committee staff summed the itemized figures presented in the hearing record at roughly $313.2 million in direct appropriations for the contract terms shown; two bargaining units (FOP N and POA) remained outstanding and were set for BOE consideration on May 29.

Timing and context: Committee members noted these agreements were negotiated under the statutory timeline that begins bargaining in the fall and that some arbitrations concluded shortly before the hearing. The presenter said the general‑fund amounts in AB596 are additional to the statewide pay actions already included in the governor’s pay bill; they are not duplicative. Members and agency staff discussed the timing mismatch in prior years when contract settlements were not yet finalized when the governor’s recommended budget was drafted; the chair referenced a separate measure (AB 356) that moves negotiation dates to better align bargaining with the governor’s budget in future cycles.

Stakeholder testimony: AFSCME and other union representatives testified in support of funding the negotiated contracts. Representatives of the professional firefighters, AFSCME, Nevada State Education Association and the Nevada State AFL‑CIO urged the committee to fund the agreements to honor the bargained terms for state employees. No organized opposition testimony appeared in this hearing record.

Outcome: AB596 was presented in a formal policy and fiscal hearing; committee members asked for clarifications on outstanding units and asked administration staff to provide final dollar figures once arbitration results were complete. The hearing concluded without a committee vote recorded in the transcript; sponsors and fiscal offices were asked to provide any updated numbers and outstanding arbitration figures to the committee.","AB 596 would appropriate general‑fund dollars to implement recently negotiated collective bargaining agreements for multiple state employee units, adding to earlier pay actions; the bill was presented as a policy and fiscal hearing and two bargaining units remain outstanding.",{"_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},6537508,"Committee hears competing proposals to rein in veteran benefits 'claim sharks' as AB145 is amended",2862,8343000,11205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536551-1b7d84f17c4e757407a964ec9409d92c&start=8343&end=11205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536551-1b7d84f17c4e757407a964ec9409d92c/thumbnail_8343000.jpg","/articles/6537508/Nevada/Committee-hears-competing-proposals-to-rein-in-veteran-benefits-claim-sharks-as-AB145-is-amended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537508-73cafbd3359a372f80280223e2a6a3db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158541&Signature=mENzTNeP3QE4KgESdIPxremYCx4ykjUAKVMz3Kda~k5WY4WRUW8Z6jn1d7Te3O5UWkzSaynBrnqLJx09C~LeVanhGUnvLUUUTO2Z7LbcQVDOV7AY9FmBH9wCJ~t8uZcDlFYfyr8fXB1k96uWsuM1ptSvgrjtolxKWVx7rVG8RkrXZ0UVQGrFDlhQCikfFY8aECNVIWAufM52DXW0~RlIj12oRN-Csxe5r5GGDcRc6vDcpd32ZH3wmWCNl8rZV21YZmgzUBRIHjrS9FtJFBNgBBlTFqrnjcIYJdle5-EvlYY2LtoQu-KAuXIrZjNDVj2sB2YUIlh2ClIBIJkwugy1cA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Ways and Means held a lengthy hearing on Assembly Bill 145 on proposals to regulate private entities that assist veterans with claims against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Sponsor Assemblymember Ruben DaSilva told the committee he had taken the lead after the veteran community identified predatory actors as its top priority. He described the bill as an attempt to “rein in” operators that solicit recent veterans and impose high upfront fees for assistance that is regulated federally only for accredited representatives.

What the sponsor’s amendment would do: DaSilva offered a conceptual amendment that keeps entities accredited by the VA exempt, requires firms to disclose that they are not VA‑accredited and have no official relationship with state veteran services, imposes a one‑year cool‑down period after discharge during which solicitation is restricted, caps fees for initial claims at $1,000, allows unlimited compensation for appeal work, and assigns oversight duties to the Nevada Department of Veterans Services (NDVS).

Arguments from proponents: Multiple veteran service organizations and witnesses urged the committee to back safeguards. Doug Williams of the Division of Human Resource Management and others told members that codifying veteran hiring and mentor programs would not add fiscal costs after amendments removed fiscal notes. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and other groups moved from opposition to neutral after the sponsor’s amendments, saying they will continue to work with the Legislature to refine oversight.

Arguments from opponents: Representatives of private firms that assist veterans, including Veteran Benefits Guide (VBG) and other firms, strongly opposed aspects of the amendment. Francis‑co Morales and several witnesses testified these businesses employ hundreds of Nevadans and work on a performance‑based model—typically collecting a fee only if they obtain a benefit increase—and that a hard upfront fee cap could eliminate their business model and harm veterans who choose to pay for assistance. VBG representatives said most of the amendment’s text was born from language they proposed, but they objected to the $1,000 cap and recommended a fee tied to a percentage of net increase instead.

Legal and procedural notes: Sponsor DaSilva said Legislative Counsel Bureau reviewed the amendment and found no First Amendment issue with the draft language. He noted several other states have pursued similar legislation; four states have enacted related laws and more than 20 have considered the idea. Committee members asked for continued negotiation between stakeholders and state agencies; several witnesses and NDVS said they would continue to work on conforming language.

Outcome at the hearing: The committee closed the hearing on AB145 after extensive testimony. There was no final committee vote on the bill in this hearing record; sponsors and stakeholders were directed to continue negotiations on the amendment language and fiscal staff indicated several changes had removed prior fiscal notes.","Lawmakers heard extensive testimony for and against Assembly Bill 145, which would cap certain upfront fees for businesses assisting veterans with VA claims, require disclosures and a one‑year cool‑down after discharge; sponsor and veterans groups presented differing fee models.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6537514,"Ways and Means advances bill to curb deceptive hemp storefronts; Cannabis Compliance Board to investigate, AG to levy penalties",522,7784000,8306000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536551-1b7d84f17c4e757407a964ec9409d92c&start=7784&end=8306","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536551-1b7d84f17c4e757407a964ec9409d92c/thumbnail_7784000.jpg","/articles/6537514/Nevada/Ways-and-Means-advances-bill-to-curb-deceptive-hemp-storefronts-Cannabis-Compliance-Board-to-investigate-AG-to-levy-penalties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537514-e289c9cb7d56f0f3361f5bbb2b7e1704/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158541&Signature=aH9bxvWAtxjmY1OPTl5zluvYfZB7wlW8izWGCUx7sfQKLPeSnL~E8O0JhNUnpVYatlbPkGvk4jT5JSzmbJCfPTvz-3IC3QLAXmLOuYG6u2hBo8ZJ11K5NmXbyUuBzfHCdmcs-wW8ZqbG4q-3Zd78AVQVM5SZ--1qrqV-9WvwSq8IKsRNAvWkKo5CwsKA7dc0PkxWc-KuXoQ38zwVxzd7YmbGZvjMzP1DCTv23dJ42vBbT5iAs353EktKnH54QnIAEkTw-oMG1yvPH1c~Btgb4GRjheMop-jDfGrJFUaTFJ~q67wc8e3HqajAu2hm3OVx8SJNt1R7mbAm9Qr6x3VOPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Ways and Means advanced Assembly Bill 504 on a voice vote after a public hearing that drew industry, public‑health and business supporters.

AB 504, sponsored by Assemblymember Joe Dalia, would make certain misleading statements about hemp products and businesses—particularly those that create consumer confusion with licensed marijuana dispensaries—deceptive trade practices under state law. “This bill is about cracking down on the same trade practices in the cannabis industry,” Dalia told the committee, citing unlicensed businesses that have targeted tourists in gaming corridors.

Why it matters: Committee members and public witnesses said the practice diverts customers away from licensed dispensaries and raises public‑health concerns because some storefronts present hemp products in ways that give the impression they contain intoxicating levels of THC. Supporters argued clearer signage and limits on misleading descriptions would protect consumers and licensed businesses.

How the amended enforcement structure works: Under a conceptual amendment presented to the committee, the Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB) will handle investigations of alleged deceptive practices and forward completed investigations to the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection for enforcement and fines. Mike Morton of the Attorney General’s Office told the committee the office will levy penalties based on CCB investigations; James Hamm, executive director of the CCB, said the board expects to manage the investigative workload with existing staff and three law‑enforcement hires carried forward in its budget.

Public testimony: Nearly all in‑room and remote testimony was in support. Brownstein attorney Harrison Bahn and several industry groups said consumers will benefit and licensed cannabis sales may increase if confusion is reduced. Public‑health and community advocates also supported the measure.

Fiscal notes and outcome: Sponsors said the fiscal notes originally filed by the Attorney General and CCB were resolved through the amendment; fiscal staff confirmed on the record that the fiscal issues had been addressed and the committee moved the bill to a work session. Assemblymember Bacchus moved to amend and do pass as amended, seconded by Assemblymember Hategui; the motion carried by voice vote.

What’s next: The committee approved the bill for subsequent legislative steps. If enacted, the bill will require businesses selling hemp products to provide clearer disclosures and will create the CCB/AG enforcement pathway approved in committee.","The committee advanced Assembly Bill 504, which makes certain misleading statements and signage by stores selling hemp products deceptive trade practices. The Cannabis Compliance Board will investigate alleged violations and the Attorney General’s Office will levy penalties under a committee amendment; fiscal notes were removed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ways and Means clears a slate of Assembly bills in work session; dozens of measures advance with unanimous voice votes

Committee hears amended AB188 to raise retiree HRA cap and require biennial cost report; fiscal questions remain

Committee reviews AB596, a new bill seeking hundreds of millions to implement bargaining agreements for multiple state unions

Committee hears competing proposals to rein in veteran benefits 'claim sharks' as AB145 is amended

Ways and Means advances bill to curb deceptive hemp storefronts; Cannabis Compliance Board to investigate, AG to levy penalties