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Assembly committee hears bill to restore free or low-cost public meeting space for major parties
Summary
AB92 would reinstate a pre-2021 rule allowing state and county central committees of major political parties to use certain public rooms and spaces at no charge during presidential election years and for precinct meetings in other years; supporters argued it restores access and reduces costs, while some fiscal questions were raised.
Assembly Bill 92, presented by Assemblymember Jill Dickman, would restore language removed in 2021 that allowed state and county central committees of major political parties to use rooms and spaces in public buildings without charge during presidential election years and for precinct meetings in other years.
Dickman said the authorization existed for roughly three decades until Senate Bill 292 of 2021 eliminated it. "This bill is quite simple," she said. "It provides that a public officer or employee in control of a room or space that is open to the general public and occupied by the State or a local government shall grant use of the room or space to a State or County Central Committee of a major political party upon application by the Committee and if the room or space is available." Dickman said her amendment would explicitly exclude Nevada System of Higher Education properties from the requirement.
Supporters said the repeal in 2021 made it much harder and more expensive for parties to find accessible venues for precinct meetings and party functions. Bruce Parks, chairman of the Washington County Republican Party, told the committee that parties have struggled to secure sites with adequate parking and accessibility and have been charged fees that add up when many precinct locations are needed. "This should be a bipartisan effort," he said.
Speakers from Clark County and other grassroots volunteers said schools and libraries historically served as accessible, smoke-free locations convenient to public transit, while casinos and private sites often carry higher costs or are unsuitable for some attendees. "It is a very nominal fee to use each school," said Devon Libsey, vice chairman of the Clark County Republican Party, "but when you're using over a hundred schools, the fee becomes excessive."
Committee members asked about the bill's scope and fiscal notes. Dickman said in her experience high schools have traditionally been used for precinct meetings because of parking and gym space, and she proposed an amendment to exclude Nevada System of Higher Education properties after NSHE submitted a fiscal note.
No witnesses testified in opposition during the hearing. Several callers and local party officials testified in support. The committee did not take a vote at the hearing.
AB92 provenance (transcript excerpts): "And with that, we will close the hearing on assembly bill 73. I will now open the hearing on Assembly Bill 92." The hearing concluded with: "Thank you. And with that, we will close the hearing on Assembly Bill 92.", which marked the close of testimony in this session.
