Silver State Times

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in Nevada has reported several legislative victories from the 2023 session. The organization played a key role in defeating several bills they believed would have negatively impacted small businesses.

Among the defeated proposals was Assembly Joint Resolution 3, which aimed to amend the Nevada Constitution to guarantee everyone the "right" to clean air and water. NFIB argued that existing federal, state, and local regulations already provide sufficient environmental protection and that this amendment could lead to lawsuits against small business owners. Additionally, AB 312, which proposed the establishment of an Environmental Justice Commission, was also stopped. NFIB claimed it would hinder growth and increase construction costs.

Senate Bill 427, which proposed uniform heat protection standards for workplaces with vague definitions, was another bill NFIB helped defeat. The organization believes regulatory agencies are better suited to create rules tailored to specific circumstances.

Assembly Bill 421, proposing a tax on businesses collecting consumer data, was also blocked with NFIB's assistance.

In terms of product legislation, Senate Bill 76 sought to penalize small retailers for selling household items containing certain chemicals. NFIB successfully lobbied Governor Joe Lombardo for a veto on this bill.

Governor Lombardo set a new single-session record by issuing 75 vetoes during the session. Many of these vetoes were on bills opposed by NFIB due to their potential negative impact on small business operations and costs. The organization collaborated with other trade groups within the business community to advocate for these vetoes.