Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo announced plans to call the Nevada Legislature back for a special session in Carson City within the next few months, though he did not specify the exact timing or agenda. The governor has the authority to convene a special session and set its topics. While Lombardo has not detailed which issues he will bring forward, several possibilities have emerged based on recent legislative priorities and unfinished business from the 2023 regular session.
Potential topics include:
- Crime Reform:
Lombardo has indicated a renewed focus on his comprehensive crime bill, which failed to pass during the regular session. The bill aimed to increase penalties for crimes such as “smash and grabs” and DUIs, and included provisions to revive a specialty court for the Las Vegas Strip to address repeat offenders. Lombardo has suggested that if the Legislature does not act, he may take the issue to the ballot in 2026. The ACLU of Nevada has called for any negotiations on crime to include protections for immigrant communities.
- Film Tax Credits:
Two major film tax credit proposals were considered but not passed during the regular session. One would have provided up to $95 million in credits to support a Sony Pictures Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery-backed film studio in Summerlin, while another proposed a campus at UNLV’s Harry Reid Research and Technology Park. The Summerlin bill passed the Assembly but stalled in the Senate.
- Budget Issues:
There was concern about the impact of potential federal funding cuts on Nevada’s budget, which relies heavily (about 28 percent) on federal dollars. However, recent congressional action has eased immediate budget concerns, with any significant healthcare-related cuts not taking effect until after 2027.
- Cybersecurity:
Following a significant cyberattack discovered by Nevada officials in August, cybersecurity is also under consideration for the special session. Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager has established a working group to propose future legislative measures on this topic.
The specific date for the special session remains undecided, but discussions have pointed to the second week of November. Under state law, campaign fundraising is prohibited for 15 days before and after a special session. Democratic leaders in the Legislature have not commented publicly on the governor’s announcement.
A previous special session in June 2023 was called to finalize the state’s capital projects budget and to approve public funding for the Athletics’ new ballpark in Las Vegas. Lombardo’s upcoming special session is expected to focus on priorities left unfinished by the regular session, with crime reform and economic development through film industry incentives likely to be at the forefront.