Chamber Highlight: Nevada State Legislature

The 83rd Session of the Nevada Legislature began on February 3, 2025. The White Pine Chamber of Commerce is participating in this legislative process by strategically advocating for bills that help rural Nevada and our business community. As the only 501c6 organization in the Eastern Nevada region, our representation in this process is incredibly important.

Chamber member businesses have a voice, and we are proud to be able to speak on behalf of our members, and advocate for Ely and White Pine County, and the Great Basin. So far this month, The White Pine Chamber of Commerce has made its position known on several proposed bills. Our chamber’s inclusion in the Silver State Chambers of Commerce also allows us greater strength in unity with other chambers across Nevada, as well as provides a lobbyist that is working in tandem with these chambers to prioritize pro-business and economically sound approaches to legislating in this session.

Chambers have an impact, for example, Assembly Bill 171, allowing non-cage-free eggs to be sold temporarily in Nevada has already passed the house and was signed into law, in efforts to alleviate the escalating prices of shell-eggs, due to the avian bird flu epidemic currently impacting the industry.

To keep our community informed, we have so far declared support for Senate Bill 5 -removing the prospective expiration of the Office of Small Business Advocacy within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. This office is a strategic unifier and emphasizes the centralization of support organization information, making it easier for small business owners and entrepreneurs to find the resources they need to succeed.

We also provided support Senate Bill 21 revising provisions governing the Outdoor Education and Recreation Grant Program, to expand the field of programs and organizations eligible for grants. This will support small businesses, boost the state’s growing outdoor tourism industry, and spur economic development. The bill will also support efforts to increase student achievement, which supports the state’s future workforce.

We have provided support on Assembly Bills: 242, an act relating to the management of land; requiring the Sagebrush Ecosystem Council in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to establish by regulation a program to mitigate damage to sagebrush ecosystem, ensuring conservation and protection for endangered species and promotion of tourism as well as ecological sustainability for future Nevadans.

Additionally, to support families of combat veterans, we advocated for AB 243, Establishes certain partial tax exemptions for surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces of the United States who were killed in the line of duty.

And Assembly Bill 244, providing for the required introduction of alternative single use takeout containers, restricting styrofoam, for restaurants operating more than 10 locations will impact how the state handles landfill waste and consumer health.

As we continue to pursue sound and fiscally responsible legislation that benefits rural and small business communities throughout the rest of this 120 day legislative process, we want to know what Senate and Assembly Bills matter to you? Your opinions need to be heard. White Pine Chamber Member Businesses can let us know which bills we should submit in support or opposition, in the process of making our region, our county, and our city the best place to live, work, grow, and thrive.