Latest news with #AssemblyBill171
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nevada's cage-free egg law temporarily suspended as bird flu impacts supply across state
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Nevada Department of Agriculture temporarily suspended Nevada's cage-free egg law to address the strain on egg supplies and high egg prices across the state. The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) State Quarantine Officer Director J.J. Goicoechea, DVM suspended the law starting Feb. 20. As a result, eggs for retail sale can be sourced from any egg producer meeting food-safety guidelines, regardless of whether the eggs originated from hens in a cage-free housing system. 'Eggs are typically the most cost-effective protein source for food-insecure populations,' Goicoechea said. 'When families can't find eggs on the shelf, and when they do the prices are not attainable, this can leave them without an essential food they depend on.' Nevada passed cage-free egg regulations in 2021 which require all eggs sold in Nevada to be sourced from cage-free hens. 'Cage-Free' is defined as eggs from hens in an enclosure in which they are unrestricted and free to roam, with a total space of at least one square foot per hen in the enclosure, according to NDA. Nevada Sen. Rosen pushes Trump on egg prices: 'Hasn't done a damn thing' The order was issued to help address the strain on eggs as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to impact the poultry industry, particularly cage-free egg producers, causing the supply of cage-free eggs to be significantly reduced, NDA said. Assembly Bill 171 was passed during the current Legislative session and allows for the temporary suspension of cage-free regulations for up to 120 days in emergencies. Goicoechea's order will begin Thursday. 'This egg shortage didn't happen overnight, and we cannot resolve it overnight,' Goicoechea said. 'We anticipate roughly 30 days before we can secure new contracts and start to see increased egg supplies on the shelf, and hopefully lower prices as availability increases.' The order also allows for the sale of 'Grade B' quality standard eggs. These eggs must meet all of the food safety requirements of 'Grade A' eggs but may have different colors, shapes and sizes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nevada Legislature OKs bill targeting high egg prices, allowing suspension of cage-free requirement
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Nevada lawmakers on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that could bring down the price of eggs, clearing the way for Gov. Joe Lombardo to give it his signature. Egg prices have soared as bird flu has decimated the number of egg-laying chickens, prompting fast action in Carson City to allow exceptions to a 'cage-free' law that passed just four years ago. Assembly Bill 171 (AB171) allows the state to temporarily suspend the ban on eggs that are from chickens raised in cages, and also allows the use of Grade B eggs. Eggs are at all-time high prices in the U.S., according to an Associated Press report on Wednesday. The average price for a dozen Grade A eggs in U.S. cities reached $4.95 in January, nearly double what consumers were paying in August 2023. The price has been even higher in Nevada and other states with cage-free laws. It's not unusual to see prices twice that high in Las Vegas stores. Egg prices unite Nevada lawmakers as AB171 makes its way toward approval AB171 was declared an emergency measure and brought to a vote in the Nevada Senate, passing unanimously with one senator absent. The Senate transmitted the bill back to the Assembly, a procedural step before it goes to Lombardo. On Monday, Nevada Director of Agriculture J.J. Goicoechea said the change could increase the supply of eggs in as little as 30 days. AB171 would take effect immediately if Lombardo signs it. The bill would also allow small producers to sell eggs to retailers during shortages. The Department of Agriculture's quarantine officer could invoke a 120-day suspension of the cage-free requirement up to two times in a calendar year. A joint statement issued by the leaders of the Democratic majority in the Legislature said: 'The price of groceries and a nationwide shortage of eggs are hitting Nevadans' pocketbooks hard. While the new administration in Washington seems focused on everything but lowering costs for Nevada families, our goal at the Legislature is to provide some relief. This legislation underscores our commitment to make day-to-day life a little easier and more affordable for Nevada families.'— Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager and Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro The passage of AB171 went remarkably fast after Yeager said on Feb. 6 that the Legislature would act within the first two weeks of the session. Republicans and Democrats were in agreement from the start, with more jokes than arguments punctuating the bill's progress through committees and votes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Egg prices unite Nevada lawmakers as AB171 makes its way toward approval
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Nevada lawmakers continued Tuesday to fast-track legislation that could bring down the price of eggs, pushing Assembly Bill 171 (AB171) closer to law. The bill would allow state officials to suspend Nevada's cage-free egg law, which was passed four years ago. The Nevada Department of Agriculture's quarantine officer would gain the power to allow the sale of eggs that come from hens raised in cages. Even the Humane Society is on board with the change, writing an amendment to the bill that expands ways the state can deal with the current problem — such as using grade B eggs when possible. Suspending the cage-free provision for 120 days could boost the available supply, which is expected to bring prices down. Agriculture Director J.J. Goicoechea said that prices could move in about a month if everything goes as expected. Las Vegas stores prepare for chick shipments during ongoing egg shortage, what to know if you're buying Nevada consumers are the focus as Democrats and Republicans work together in Carson City. Assemblymember Howard Watts (D-Clark County), who wrote the original cage-free bill in 2021, is sponsoring the new legislation. On Monday, the Assembly kicked into gear. After passing in the Assembly early Tuesday, AB171 was sent to the Senate. It was sent to committee and passed on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday, it is expected to go to a vote of the full Senate. No one has voted against it yet. AB171 could find its way to Gov. Joe Lombardo's desk very soon. That was the plan from the very beginning when Democratic Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager — the bill's co-sponsor — said on Feb. 3 that lawmakers would pass relief for consumers within the first two weeks of the 83rd Legislative Session. A LOOK AT AB171: Nevada consumers could get a break on egg prices Lawmakers can barely contain the jokes as the bill advances at a scorching pace. 'Winner winner, chicken dinner,' Democratic Senator Michelee Cruz-Crawford said as the Committee on Natural Resources sent the bill to the full Senate. She chairs the committee. Yeager posted on X: 'EGGSPENSIVE PRICES? HOW WE'RE FIXING IT 🍳Egg prices have been cracking budgets for too long—but today, we took action! ✅ AB 171 will help Nevadans afford the basics. Big thanks to @HowardWattsNV for leading the charge!' The levity was inevitable as lawmakers made swift progress on a problem that's hitting household budgets hard in Nevada. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NV lawmakers unanimously advance bill designed to help lower the price of eggs
The bill would allow temporary suspension of Nevada's cage-free egg law during national shortages caused by disease outbreaks or natural disasters. (Photo:) In a bid to lower the price of eggs for consumers, Nevada legislators voted unanimously Monday to advance a bill that would temporarily suspend certain regulations related to the sale and transport of eggs. Supply chain issues created by the H5N1 bird flu virus have significantly increased egg prices and reduced availability across Nevada, causing lawmakers to rethink a law banning the sale of caged eggs in the state. Nevada lawmakers are now quickly pushing through Assembly Bill 171, a measure that would grant the State Quarantine Officer the authority to temporarily suspend Nevada's cage-free egg law during national shortages caused by disease outbreaks or natural disasters. Lawmakers said the bill would help lower egg prices in Nevada by opening additional markets that can't be accessed due to the state's ban on caged eggs. Nevada banned the sale of caged eggs in 2021 with the unanimous support of state Democrats and a handful of Republicans. 'One thing that we didn't perceive was this massive bird flu pandemic and the impact that it's had on the supply chain. As a result, there is not flexibility to adjust some of those standards when we're facing an emergency situation,' said Assemblymember Howard Watts, D-Las Vegas, who sponsored the bill with Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, D-Las Vegas. The Assembly Committee on Natural Resources voted Monday to advance the bill to the full Nevada Assembly, where it is expected to pass without issue before moving to the Nevada Senate. Under the bill, the temporary suspension of regulations would last no more than 120 consecutive days, with up to two suspensions per calendar year. The bill also includes a provision requiring a report on the discrepancy of egg prices from store to store within 60 days. The bill is not limited to Nevada's cage-free egg law. It would also give the Nevada Department of Agriculture the flexibility to secure eggs from atypical sources during shortages, including smaller producers and Grade B egg vendors. Grade B eggs meet all health and safety standards, but are considered lower quality due to superficial cosmetic issues. 'We have no commercial scale egg producers here in the state of Nevada, but we have small operators. So if there are ways that we can help get those eggs onto the shelves, we want to look at that as well,' Watts said. Nevada Department of Agriculture Director J.J. Goicoechea said the agency is already working on certifying and inspecting smaller producers to get more eggs on the shelf. 'There is a population that we can source additional eggs from in a time of emergency, and that is all we are asking for,' Goicoechea said. Goicoechea emphasized the agency's commitment to protecting the health and safety of the food supply, while also trying to increase egg availability and reduce prices. 'At no time can we, nor would we, import any product, whether it was a meat product, a live animal or, in this case, eggs, into the state that was not inspected and had gone through that inspection process,' Goicoechea said. 'There is no way we're going to do anything that would risk or jeopardize the health of Nevada citizens. Absolutely not,' he continued. The virus has also affected other parts of the food supply in Nevada. About 36,000 dairy cows in Nye and Churchill counties have been placed under quarantine since December after the Nevada Department of Agriculture detected Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Until now, the strain detected in Fallon dairy farms in Churchill County has mainly been found in wild birds across all North American flyways. 'This has never been seen before in dairy cattle anywhere. Why it chose Fallon, we do not know. We do have a lot of interface with wildlife and wild fowl there,' Goicoechea said. However, Goicoechea assured Nevadans it was safe to consume milk purchased in grocery stores, adding that the milk pasteurization process in Nevada 'renders the virus inactive.' 'I will not sit here and lie to you. We will be in this for months. We have a long ways to go,' Goicoechea said. 'We are very concerned about… where else it may already be that they haven't found.'
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Egg price bill advances at Nevada Legislature; AB171 could increase supply in 30 days
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A bill aimed at reducing the skyrocketing price of eggs in Nevada advanced on Monday, but the legislative process will take some time even if there's no opposition. If it sails through, when is the soonest that Nevadans could see results? Nevada Department of Agriculture Director J.J. Goicoechea said it could mean that supplies increase in as little as a month. From there, prices should respond to supply and demand. For now, Assembly Bill 171 (AB171) has made its first step in lightning speed, unanimously passing a voice vote in a work session of the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources. It's now headed for the Assembly floor for a vote. The Assembly will not convene until late Tuesday morning. AB171 now has an amendment crafted by the Humane Society of the United States. The amendment gives the Department of Agriculture power to write additional regulations if the situation comes up again under different circumstances. What does AB171 do that could possibly change the price of eggs? It loosens a law made four years ago in the Nevada Legislature by Assemblymember Howard Watts (D-Clark County). It's no coincidence that Watts is a primary sponsor of AB171, looking to make an exception to the rules that he helped write in 2021. AB399 prohibited the production or sale of eggs in Nevada that weren't the product of cage-free chickens. The current egg supply problems are due to avian flu. 'Since 2022, roughly 20 million egg-laying chickens have died or been culled as a result of this disease outbreak. And that's created a really significant supply chain crunch and issue,' Watts told the Assembly committee. Nevada's first human case of avian flu confirmed in Churchill County A USDA report released on Jan. 16 said table egg-layers lost to High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) totaled 13.6 million birds in December alone. AB171 allows the Department of Agriculture's quarantine officer to suspend the cage-free law for 120 days under certain circumstances, and that could be done twice in a calendar year. That would open up sources for eggs that Nevada doesn't allow under current law. Goicoechea said Iowa, Indiana and Ohio are all states where Nevada gets eggs now, but it can't buy eggs that aren't cage-free. Under AB171, those states could sell more eggs to Nevada. The Humane Society amendment further allows Grade B eggs if necessary. It also would allow use of eggs from small operations in Nevada. The state currently has no commercial-scale egg operations, Goicoechea said. The amendment concerned some lawmakers who said the language was too open, and that was addressed before the work session concluded. Why 120 days? It's not a random choice, Goicoechea said: 'The absolute fastest that we can bring a pullet on to laying eggs would be 126 days. So, I could have went a lot longer and scientifically backed that up, but there are always pullets in the supply chain coming on. This isn't a hard stop, hard start, hard stop.' Support for AB171 came in testimony from the Sierra Club, Nevada Farm Bureau, Retail Association of Nevada, Vegas Chamber, Nevada Resort Association, Nevada Restaurant Association, Nevada Families for Freedom, Energy and Convenience Association of Nevada and the Independent American Party. Everyone appears to recognize the impact egg prices are having on consumers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
