Behind the Scenes of the Nevada Legislature’s 120-Day Sprint

By Ben Kieckhefer —  Nevada knows how to get things done. Of course, in the legislature we really don’t have a choice. We are currently in session and have only 120 days to get a couple years’ worth of legislative work done. As we do every other year, we are bringing our best ideas, focus and energy to the table to get things done under this tight legislative deadline. For those new to the state or unfamiliar with the legislature’s schedule, we’re a part-time legislative body, and we do all of our work in a four-month legislative session that only convenes every other year. Which means the next few months are going to be exciting, and occasionally exhausting. The session is already off to a quick start. There are new faces in the assembly and the senate, and I have been spending the first few days meeting the new elected representatives that I will be doing a lot of work with over the next several months. We also have a state budget to pass, and we’re busy analyzing the details of Nevada Gov. Sisolak’s budget proposal. How and where we spend taxpayers’ money is one of our most important duties. So I am spending countless hours analyzing the $8.9 billion budget proposal and ensuring we get a fair and fiscally responsible budget passed over the next weeks. Much of our time has also been spent in committees. While the very word “committee” might make many readers’ eyes glaze over in boredom, this is where much of the state’s important work gets done. Things like economic development policy directly impact what types of jobs are available to Nevada residents; Health and Human Services policies affect the speed and quality of Nevadan’s health care; and the Education committee’s meetings are critical to how the next generation of Nevadans are prepared for the future. I am honored to sit on each of these committees and subcommittees, and I look forward to the hard work of making sure our work continues to put the best interests of Nevada families at the forefront of each committee meeting. One of the issues I will be particularly invested in this coming legislative session is blockchain technology policy. Many people immediately think about Bitcoin or other digital currencies when blockchain is mentioned, but this technology has broad impacts on logistics businesses, banking, smart contracts and other industries. I am working on a package of bills that will allow Nevada to attract and retain companies engaged in this emerging technology, and encourage government adoption where it makes sense. One of my top priorities is to make all of my legislation bipartisan and bicameral (just a fancy way of saying sponsored by both political parties and by both the senate and the assembly) so I will be on the lookout for willing co-sponsors who can work hand-in-hand with me on the bills I hope to pass this session. That’s it for now. Things are moving fast here, as we’re all under the pressure of a fast-approaching 120-day deadline. But that makes us work harder and smarter. It feels good to be back to work. Thanks for reading. ~ Ben Kieckhefer (R) is the Nevada State Senator for District 16, which includes Carson City, parts of Washoe County and Incline Village. He was first elected in 2010.