Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legislative Language Gender topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nevada Senate adopts bill replacing 'assemblyman' and 'assemblywoman' with 'assemblymember' in statutes after heated debate
Summary
The Nevada Senate approved Assembly Bill 588 on May 20, 2025, replacing gendered legislative titles in state statutes with the gender-neutral term "assemblymember." The final vote was 11-8 after extended floor remarks for and against the change.
The Nevada Senate on May 20 passed Assembly Bill 588, which replaces the statutory terms "assemblyman" and "assemblywoman" with the gender-neutral term "assemblymember" across the Nevada Revised Statutes. The Senate approved the measure on a roll-call vote of 11-8 and ordered it to the Assembly.
Supporters described the change as an inclusionary update to the statutory language that removes gendered designations from law; opponents said the move erases language that some women value and undercuts historical recognition. The debate included extended floor speeches from senators on both sides of the issue.
Senator Orenshall introduced the bill on the floor, explaining that the measure replaces gendered terms in statute and removes the authority for a female member to have "assemblywoman" on official stationery and license plates. "Assembly bill 5 88 replaces the terms assemblyman and assemblywoman with assemblymember throughout the Nevada Revised Statutes," Orenshall said.
Senator Hansen spoke in strong opposition, invoking the 1989 legislative history that authorized "assemblywoman" and arguing the change removes a civil right previously granted: "So I would urge my colleagues ... to vote no and proudly say, I'm proud to be a woman. I'm proud that there are assembly women who are the majority in the other house," Hansen said.
Senator Scheibel, speaking in favor, said the change is intended to be inclusive and is limited to statutory language: "We recognize what it's like to be locked out of the halls of power, and we don't want to do that to other people ... AB 588 is about being inclusive of everybody and not drawing distinctions based on gender in this particular setting," Scheibel said.
The recorded roll call showed 11 yeas and 8 nays; the Senate declared AB 588 passed and ordered the Assembly to be notified. The enrolled bill lists the act’s effective date as "upon passage and approval" in the bill text discussed on the floor.
