A total of 239 bills failed to meet first committee deadline, yet ‘zombie’ bills could surface
By Megan Barth, The Nevada Globe, April 22, 2023
A total of 239 bills failed pass the first house committee deadline on April 14, yet the next deadline is right around the corner. Bills must pass out of their house of origin by Tuesday, April 25. However, provisions from a dead bill may resurface as an amendment to a bill that is still in play. These amended bills are known as “zombie bills.”
The Nevada Realtors Association has tracked 25 out of 86 bills that failed to meet the April 14 deadline:
| AB10 – Authorizes the designation of a tax increment area for certain transportation and housing reinvestment purposes.AB64 – Makes changes to civil penalties for certain violations relating to campaign finance reports.AB106 – Revises provisions governing contractors.AB111 – Prohibits certain restrictions on the display of religious items in common-interest communities.AB123 – Establishes certain requirements and restrictions relating to policies of rental obligations insurance and rental assurances agreements.AB142 – Revises provisions governing certain sales of property.AB176 – Revises provisions relating to housing.AB314 – Revises provisions governing the regulation of home-based businesses by counties, cities and towns.AB324 – Revises provisions relating to common-interest communitiesAB327 – Revises provisions governing real property.AB362 – Revises provisions governing rent increases.AB438 – Prohibits title insurers, title agents, escrow officers and certain real estate professionals from engaging in certain conduct.AB447 – Revises provisions relating to the collection of rent.AB450 – Revises provisions governing the real property transfer tax.AJR3 – Proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to establish certain rights relating to the environment.AJR7 – Proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to revise certain provisions relating to property taxes.SB96 – Revises provisions relating to taxation.SB122 – Revises provisions relating to crimes.SB142 – Enacts the Homeless Persons’ Bill of Rights.SB175 – Revises provisions governing common-interest communities.SB193 – Revises provisions governing the commerce tax.SB198 – Revises provisions relating to the trimming and removal of certain trees located on residential property.SB288 – Revises provisions relating to real estate.SB358 – Repeals provisions governing common-interest communities.SB374 – Revises provisions relating to property taxes. | |
As reported by The Globe, the Democratic majority had proposed legislation to eliminate the property tax cap, currently at 3 percent, to a nearly- tripled 8 percent.
According to the Nevada Policy Research Institute: “Among reasons the 3 percent cap was put in place years ago was to prevent individuals, particularly retirees and those on fixed incomes, from being priced out of their homes by skyrocketing property tax rates. In addition Nevada has a billion-dollar surplus and does not need to raise taxes.”
Last year, the Clark County Assessor hiked property taxes to 8 percent on many homeowners by unilaterally determining that the homeowner was a renter at that address. The “most technologically advanced” office made this financial determination if the office had not received a small, non-decript postcard from the homeowner indicating residency. Needless to say, this decision caused the assessor’s office computer and phone systems to crash due to public outcry.
In spite of record-breaking billion dollar revenues the Silver State has been enjoying, Democrats have been vying for years to eliminate the property tax cap to fund capital expenses for schools, development and education.
In their opposition statement, Keystone Corporation noted: “In short, this is an attempt to raise our property taxes during this challenging period of high inflation, high interest rates and a slow economy. As Nevadans cope with high food and gas costs, our State Government needs to be more fiscally responsible as it already has a $2 Billion budget surplus.”
Last week, the State Senate passed SB371 would allow local governments to implement ordinances to address affordable housing, including rent control. Republican Senators unanimously opposed the legislation along with Senator Skip Daly–the only Democrat voting against the measure. The bill now moves to the Assembly.
The Globe will continue to provide updates and monitor bills throughout the legislative session.