Senate committee hears bill to expand no-parking zones at crosswalks to improve visibility

The Nevada Senate Committee on Growth and Infrastructure on Tuesday heard testimony on Senate Bill 320, a proposal to extend a 20-foot stopping prohibition to both marked and unmarked crosswalks and to allow local governments to set longer stopping distances where needed for public safety.

Senate Bill 320 was presented by Soraya Bonner, an intern for Senator Scheibel, who said the bill responds to a rising number of pedestrian fatalities in Nevada and aims to increase sight distance at crosswalks so drivers have more time to see and react to people crossing. "Pedestrian safety remains a critical issue on Nevada's roadways," Bonner told the committee. She cited data from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Road Equity Alliance showing that 2024 was the state—s deadliest year for pedestrians.

The bill would extend the 20-foot prohibition on stopping or parking near crosswalks to both marked and unmarked crosswalks and would permit local governments to adopt different, longer stopping distances for public-safety reasons so long as those distances exceed the established minimum. The sponsor also outlined a conceptual amendment that removes a provision distinguishing a shorter 15-foot distance where a curb extension exists; that carve-out was removed to promote uniform enforcement across municipalities.

The proposal includes a phased enforcement timeline: initial enforcement limited to warnings through Dec. 31, 2026, with full enforcement beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Bonner described the change as "a research-backed improvement that can save lives," and said the measure was not intended to restrict drivers but to "create safer streets for all Nevadans."

Joey Paske, director of public works for the City of Las Vegas, told the committee the change would give agencies authority to install traffic-control devices and markings that improve "site visibility" at pedestrian crossings. Paske said visibility increases driver reaction time and noted that within Las Vegas nearly 40 percent of the city's traffic fatalities involve pedestrians. Paske also addressed parking concerns raised by committee members, saying the change would likely affect about five feet of curb space — "very minimal to parking demand" because a typical parking space is about 20 feet long.

Neutral and municipal testimony touched on enforceability and the desire for a single standard across cities. Mike Cathcart, representing the City of Henderson, said municipalities prefer one standard rather than two differing distances depending on curb extensions. Ashley Kennedy, representing Clark County, thanked the bill sponsor and the amendment for clarifying the matter. Chandler Cooks, testifying in neutral, acknowledged the safety goals but urged lawmakers to consider impacts in dense urban neighborhoods such as Downtown Las Vegas and the Arts District, where curbside parking is limited. "Reducing curbside parking near crosswalks in those particular areas, we risk creating new frustrations, reduce foot traffic for small businesses, and possibly greater congestion," Cooks said.

No formal vote was taken at the hearing. Chair Winn closed the hearing on SB 320 after public testimony and indicated the committee will continue work on its agenda; the committee also announced the next meeting for Monday, when three bills are scheduled.

The hearing record includes the sponsor's conceptual amendment to remove the curb-extension exception and clarifications from municipal representatives seeking a single, uniform standard. The bill's enforcement timeline, the option for local jurisdictions to impose longer setbacks, and the stated data on increased pedestrian fatalities in Clark County were emphasized during testimony.