Assembly hearing on AB263 spotlights county–NDOT cooperation for East Las Vegas encampments

Assemblywoman Erica Mosca introduced Assembly Bill 263 on the Assembly Committee on Government Affairs docket, saying the measure would clarify how Clark County and the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) can work together to support outreach to people living outside and to allow county cleanup on NDOT right-of-way that directly borders county land in East Las Vegas.

Mosca, who said she represents Assembly District 14, described the bill as focused on ‘‘unhoused individuals’’ in her district and said much of the state-owned right of way in her district is NDOT property. ‘‘This bill is about the number one issue that people call me about, email me about, text me about, or talk to me whenever they see me,’’ Assemblywoman Erica Mosca said.

The bill, as presented by Mosca and County Commissioner Tick Segerblom, would direct NDOT and Clark County to coordinate homeless outreach and, in specific situations where the county is performing an outreach-driven cleanup on its own side of a corridor, allow county crews and outreach teams to operate on the adjacent NDOT-owned strip to avoid repeatedly displacing encampments across a fence line.

Why it matters: proponents said encampments that straddle jurisdictional lines — for example, between county land and NDOT right of way along freeways — grow into larger, unsafe, unsanitary camps if cleanup and outreach are limited to one side of a fence. Mosca said the measure aims to increase outreach ‘‘touches’’ near parks, schools and senior housing and to make it easier for county outreach teams to offer services before cleanup occurs.

Committee concerns and staff clarifications: committee members asked about expanding participation by cities and other municipalities, definitions and composition of ‘‘homeless outreach teams,’’ protections for people’s identification and property during cleanups, and a county fiscal note that had been attached to an earlier draft. Mosca and Commissioner Segerblom said counties already operate outreach teams (including nonprofit partners such as HELP of Southern Nevada and teams tied to Metro), that teams generally canvass and offer services before cleanup and that the county gives notice and opportunities to move belongings before removal.

On the fiscal note, Mosca said the draft fiscal estimate predated amendments that limit the county’s responsibility and she expected county staff to remove the fiscal note after clarifying that the county would not assume responsibility for cleaning all NDOT property but only for portions that directly abut county cleanup efforts.

Public testimony: the committee heard multiple supporters. Wesley Harper, director of government affairs for the City of North Las Vegas, thanked the sponsor and said the city wants to be part of forthcoming discussions. Community and advocacy witnesses who testified in support included representatives from Native Voters Alliance Nevada, Chicanos Por La Causa, Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada, Return Strong Nevada (which cited links between homelessness and incarceration), veterans’ groups and several East Side residents who described local cleanups and interactions with people living outside. The City of Las Vegas testified neutral and asked for coordination and resources, noting the city already operates five outreach teams and uses public works staff to support cleanup in city jurisdiction.

What the bill would not do (as presented): Mosca repeatedly said the bill would not solve housing or mental-health needs; it is limited to coordinating outreach and permitting county access to adjacent NDOT right-of-way in specific, proximate cleanup situations. Commissioner Segerblom emphasized the intent was not to make the county responsible for cleaning all NDOT property in the county.

Next steps and sponsor outreach: Mosca invited further stakeholder meetings and said she would add cosponsors from committee members who asked. The hearing record closed with the sponsor thanking NDOT and county staff and saying she would continue to work with municipalities and agency partners on language.

Ending: The committee took testimony and closed the hearing without a recorded floor vote; staff and the sponsor indicated additional amendments and stakeholder meetings are expected before any further action.