Senate committee advances extension of property tax to fund Las Vegas police

The Senate Committee on Revenue and Economic Development on Wednesday advanced Senate Bill 451 in a work session, voting to recommend the bill move forward.

Senate Bill 451 would continue a property tax assessment of $0.20 per $100 of assessed value in unincorporated areas of Clark County and the City of Las Vegas. The tax was originally approved by voters in November 1996 and is used to employ officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Christian Tower of the Fiscal Analysis Division summarized the bill for the committee and noted a proposed effective date beginning July 1, 2027, with other administrative details described in the bill.

The bill was the subject of a short committee discussion before a motion to give the bill a “do pass” recommendation. Senator Cruz Crawford moved the motion and Senator Stone seconded. Senator Stone said he supported the bill as a means of retaining the department’s staffing level and signaled openness to pending amendments. Senator Steinbeck said she agreed. The committee then voted in favor of the motion; the chair announced the motion carried and assigned a floor statement to Senator Cannizzaro.

The work session record indicates the property tax was originally approved by voters in 1996 and that the bill seeks to continue the existing rate and administrative provisions. Committee members did not adopt amendments on the floor during the work session; Senator Stone noted requests for amendments that he expected to be negotiated and inserted later.

The committee action is a recommendation to the full Senate; the transcript does not record final floor action or subsequent amendments. The committee recorded the motion, the second, brief discussion, and a positive voice vote in committee.