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Nevada lawmakers hear support for resolution urging federal moratorium on underground nuclear explosive testing
Summary
Assembly Joint Resolution 13, introduced by Assemblymember Joe Dalia, was presented to the Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections as a request that the federal government maintain its moratorium on explosive nuclear testing outside Clark County.
Assembly Joint Resolution 13, introduced by Assemblymember Joe Dalia, was presented Tuesday to the Nevada Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections as an effort to urge the federal government to maintain its moratorium on explosive nuclear testing, particularly at the Nevada test site outside Clark County.
The measure, Assembly Joint Resolution 13, seeks only to express Nevada’s opposition to a resumption of explosive nuclear tests and to communicate the state’s preference that such testing not again be conducted in Nevada. Assemblymember Joe Dalia, representing Assembly District 29, said the resolution aims to keep families and children safe from the health and environmental risks associated with explosive nuclear testing.
Experts and community groups urged committee members to support the measure. Mark Malamed, identified in the hearing as a deputy vice president with the Nuclear Threat Initiative, told the committee that the United States has maintained the safety and reliability of its nuclear stockpile for decades through non‑explosive methods such as the stockpile stewardship program and subcritical testing at the Nevada National Security Site. “Nuclear tests that decades ago sent tremors through Las Vegas and contaminated Nevada’s environment are not needed to ensure a safe, reliable, and effective U.S. nuclear deterrent,” Malamed said.
Local business and conservation groups also testified in favor. Trevor Parrish of the Vegas Chamber said the chamber supports AJR 13, citing potential economic and environmental harm if testing resumed. Tristan Saint Denis of the Nevada Conservation League highlighted ongoing concerns about radioactive contamination in groundwater near the Nevada National Security Site and warned that Nevada’s scarce water resources could be further threatened. Tom Clark of the Reno‑Sparks Chamber of Commerce cited possible damage to the state’s tourism and renewable energy development image and economic prospects if testing resumed.
Members of the public who said they lived or served near past test sites described long‑term health impacts. Dave Crete, who identified himself as chairman of the board of a group he called the Invisible Enemy and said he had served on the Nevada test and training range, told the committee he and other service members have experienced health problems and birth defects and urged lawmakers to press the federal government to keep testing out of Nevada.
Committee members asked presenters for technical and policy context. Senator Steinbeck asked whether any countries currently conduct underground testing; Malamed said North Korea has conducted underground tests most recently in 2017, and no other country has tested this century. Senator Krasner asked whether the resolution would apply to the entire United States or focus on Nevada; Dalia said the core intent is to preserve the moratorium for the Nevada test site outside Clark County.
No formal committee vote was recorded during the hearing; the committee opened and then closed the public hearing on AJR 13 after invited testimony and public comment.
The sponsors and supporters said the resolution is designed as a clear statement to federal officials that explosive nuclear testing should not resume in Nevada.
