After contested votes, commission elects Scott Shearer chair and Kim Wallen vice chair

The Nevada Commission on Ethics elected Scott Shearer as chair and Kim Wallen as vice chair for one‑year terms after a contested series of nominations and votes.

The nominations began when Commissioner Yin nominated Kim Wallen for chair and Scott Shearer for vice chair, praising Wallen's attendance and dedication: "Chair Wallen has attended every meeting in person...has participated," Yin said, urging support. Several commissioners raised concerns about attendance and participation by other nominees, prompting debate and a split vote that led the commission to vote separately for each position.

Commission counsel and the executive director clarified procedural options under the commission's rules and Robert's Rules of Order, noting that chair and vice chair are typically separate people and that a vote may be held on the chair position first and then the vice chair position. The commission took separate show‑of‑hands votes; the transcript records motions, seconds, some 'no' votes, and that the votes passed. The meeting concluded with congratulations to Chair Scott Shearer and Vice Chair Kim Wallen.

The transcript reflects disagreement during the nominations—several commissioners voiced objections and recorded 'no' votes—but does not include complete roll‑call tallies for every motion in the provided excerpt. The chair and vice chair will serve one‑year terms and commissioners discussed the expectation that the chair be available to monitor commission business between meetings and to engage regularly with staff.

Next step: officers will serve for the coming year; commissioners did not identify additional agenda items for the August meeting and adjourned.