The 2025 legislative session in Nevada concluded on June 5, 2025, with the passage of several key bills that are expected to shape the state’s political, economic, and social landscape for years to come. Governor Joe Lombardo and the state legislature have made significant strides in addressing issues such as affordable housing, criminal justice reform, and voter identification laws, with both triumphs and challenges along the way.
Key Legislative Achievements
The session was marked by several important legislative wins, especially for Governor Lombardo, whose administration placed a strong emphasis on affordable housing, education reform, and improving public safety. Among the major bills passed were:
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Voter ID Law: One of the most significant pieces of legislation passed was the controversial voter ID law, which will require voters to present a valid photo ID at the polls starting in 2026. Proponents argue that this measure will help reduce voter fraud and increase transparency in Nevada’s elections. However, opponents express concerns that the law could disenfranchise vulnerable populations, such as elderly and low-income individuals, who may struggle to obtain photo identification. The bill has sparked a nationwide debate about the balance between election security and voter accessibility.
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Affordable Housing Legislation: In response to Nevada’s ongoing housing crisis, lawmakers passed a bill aimed at increasing the availability of affordable housing across the state. The legislation provides incentives for developers to build more affordable housing units, particularly in the Clark County area, where housing prices have skyrocketed in recent years. Governor Lombardo hailed the bill as a critical step in addressing the housing shortage, which has made it increasingly difficult for middle- and low-income families to find suitable housing.
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Teacher Pay Raise: As part of an effort to address Nevada’s teacher shortage, the legislature approved a bill that includes a pay raise for public school teachers. The increase, which will go into effect in the 2025-2026 school year, will provide an average salary boost of 8% for teachers across the state. Lawmakers cited the pay raise as a necessary step to attract and retain qualified educators in Nevada’s public schools, which have faced difficulties in staffing classrooms in recent years.
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Criminal Justice and Police Reform: Another notable achievement of the 2025 session was the passage of a police transparency bill. The new law requires law enforcement agencies to release body camera footage of incidents involving the use of force within 30 days. This measure aims to increase accountability and transparency within the police force and is a response to growing calls for reform following high-profile incidents of police violence in the state and across the country. The bill also includes provisions for bias training for officers.
Legislative Setbacks
While the 2025 session saw significant progress on several fronts, not all of the bills introduced made it through the legislature. One of the most notable failures was the proposed retail theft bill, which would have increased penalties for repeat offenders of retail theft. The bill faced strong opposition from criminal justice reform advocates, who argued that it would disproportionately affect low-income communities. As a result, the bill was delayed and is expected to be revisited in the next session.
Similarly, a proposal to expand film tax credits to attract more film productions to Nevada failed to pass. Proponents of the bill argued that expanding the state’s film incentives would bring jobs and economic opportunities to Nevada, but it ultimately did not gain enough support from lawmakers.
Looking Ahead to 2027
With the 2025 session now concluded, lawmakers are already turning their attention to the next session in 2027. Issues such as healthcare reform, climate change, and labor rights are expected to dominate future legislative agendas, as these topics continue to be of growing concern to Nevada residents.
Governor Lombardo has promised to continue pushing for comprehensive reforms, particularly in the areas of education and housing. “We have made great strides this year, but there is much more work to be done,” said Governor Lombardo in a statement following the conclusion of the session.
Conclusion
The 2025 Nevada legislative session was a pivotal moment in the state’s political history. Despite some setbacks, the session produced meaningful legislation that will have a lasting impact on the state’s future. With the passage of key bills on voter ID, affordable housing, teacher pay, and criminal justice reform, Nevada has taken significant steps toward addressing some of its most pressing challenges. As the state looks ahead to the 2027 session, lawmakers are expected to continue focusing on the issues that matter most to their constituents.
