The 2025 Nevada legislative session officially concluded on June 5, 2025, after a four-month session that saw the passage of several key pieces of legislation. Governor Joe Lombardo has emphasized his administration’s commitment to improving the state’s infrastructure, educational system, and public safety, with a particular focus on affordable housing and criminal justice reform.
Key Bills Signed Into Law
Among the most significant bills passed during the 2025 session was the much-anticipated Voter ID Law, which mandates that all voters must present a valid photo ID at the polls starting in 2026. Proponents of the bill argue that it will help combat voter fraud and increase confidence in Nevada’s elections. Opponents, however, warn that the law could disenfranchise marginalized communities, particularly elderly and low-income voters, who may have difficulty obtaining valid ID.
Another major piece of legislation signed by Governor Lombardo was a sweeping affordable housing bill, which aims to address the state’s ongoing housing crisis. The bill includes provisions for increasing the availability of affordable housing units across Nevada, particularly in areas like Clark County, where housing prices have soared in recent years. The law provides incentives for developers to build more affordable housing and includes funding for local governments to assist with housing subsidies for low-income residents.
In education, lawmakers passed a historic bill that will provide teacher pay raises across Nevada’s public school system. The raise is expected to go into effect in the 2025-2026 school year, with an average increase of 8% for teachers. The measure is seen as a response to the teacher shortages that have plagued the state in recent years. Governor Lombardo called the raise “a critical step in ensuring that Nevada’s children receive the education they deserve.”
Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform
In a win for public safety advocates, the legislature passed a police transparency bill requiring law enforcement agencies to disclose use-of-force incidents involving officers. The bill mandates that body camera footage of these incidents be made available to the public within 30 days of an incident. Additionally, the law requires that officers undergo regular bias training to ensure fair policing practices.
Another notable piece of legislation that was approved is a new bail reform law, which eliminates cash bail for certain nonviolent offenses. The new law aims to reduce the number of individuals held in jail before their trial simply because they cannot afford bail. Advocates argue that the reform will help alleviate the overburdened jail system, particularly in urban areas like Las Vegas.
What Didn’t Pass
Despite the success of several key bills, the 2025 session also saw the failure of some high-profile pieces of legislation. For instance, a retail theft bill that would have increased penalties for repeat offenders was delayed due to disagreements over its potential impact on low-income communities. Similarly, a proposal to expand film tax credits in Nevada, intended to attract more film productions to the state, did not make it through the legislative process.
Looking Ahead
As the 2025 legislative session comes to a close, many lawmakers are already looking ahead to the 2027 session. Lawmakers are expected to continue pushing for measures related to healthcare, climate change, and labor rights, as these issues remain central to the state’s political conversation.
For now, Governor Lombardo has touted the successes of the session as a victory for Nevada residents, particularly in the areas of education, housing, and public safety. “This session was about building a better future for Nevada,” Governor Lombardo said in his closing remarks. “We’ve made significant progress, but there is still much more to be done.”