05-02-2025
Bill count swells to 484 as Nevada Legislature hits Day 2; Voter ID a Republican goal
CARSON CITY (KLAS) — Packed binders. Busy halls. Lobbyists, lawmakers and journalists roaming amongst each other. This is when the routine of the state government sets in.
On Day 2 of the Nevada Legislature in Carson City, lawmakers are setting the table for the months ahead. It's a busy agenda, but what could actually get done?
Already, there are 484 bills submitted this session, with many more expected. There's still a long way to go before the session ends in June.
Politics Now anchor John Langeler brings us this update on what lawmakers hope to accomplish this session.
Education, criminal justice, economic diversity, human diversity — it will all be discussed in the Nevada Legislature building over the course of the 120-day session.
First, it's a matter of knowing what you're working with.
Republican Assemblyman Gregory Hafen II is the Minority Floor leader.
He says the $337 million deficit in Gov. Joe Lombardo's $12.7 billion budget is all squared away. But he adds there's a little less money floating around this session.
'If somebody was proposing a bill that would have a large fiscal note, it's going to be a very difficult task. Knowing that our budget is flat,' Hafen said.
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One of his top priorities is bringing voter ID laws to Nevada. It failed in 2023.
'They laughed at me in the hallways and thought it was a joke. It's not a joke … 73% of the Nevada population wants voter ID,' Hafen said. 'They want to feel that their vote and only their vote is being counted.'
Voter ID raises concerns with Democratic Assemblywoman Cecelia González. She leads the Latino caucus.
'Voter IDs could potentially have unintended consequences of people who may not be able to obtain their drivers licenses, but still have the lawful right to vote,' González said.
On Monday, the caucus proposed several items to mitigate the impacts of President Donald Trump's illegal immigration policies.
'When it comes to the very thin line between state and federal law, there are things we can do and there are things we can't do. I think that's a lot of our community's frustrations,' González said
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