Legislative Update - Bill Deadline Extended, Gun Rights Under Fire, Titus Granted Hearing

Staff Report

In an unusual but not uncommon move, the Nevada Senate and Assembly leadership suspended bill deadline rules to extend the ability to have legislator’s bills introduced as late as Day 50 on March 27 instead of the normal deadline of March 20. Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and Assembly Majority Leader Sandra Jauregui both made the motions on March 20. The issue appeared to be that legislators have overwhelmed the bill draft writers with over 698 bill requests. Assemblyman Greg Koenig (R-Fallon) was glad for the extension as he has been trying to get his last bill “dropped” (submitted) for quite a while now. The frustration for him is that “it’s hard to turn in my bill with signatures (co-sponsors) when I haven’t received it yet. I hope to get it soon.” He also mentioned that the 3 days of snow closure didn’t help.

Semi-automatic weapons to be banned for those under 21?
Also on Monday, Democratic Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui introduced Assembly Bill 355 which raises the age limit from 18 to 21 for semi-automatic gun possession and handling. The bill, in its current form, also bans hunting for persons under the age of 21. Her Democratic colleagues Speaker Steve Yeager and Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno are sponsoring this legislation.
In a statement last week, Jauregui explained her reasoning behind the proposed legislation:
“It’s important to know that since 2018, six of the deadliest mass shootings have been committed by people under the age of 21,” she said. Jauregui is herself the survivor of the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas. That shooting, committed by a 64-year-old man, left 61 people dead. Since then, she’s pushed for changes in gun laws.
She noted that current Nevada law requires anyone buying a handgun or getting a concealed carry permit to be 21 but allows an 18-year-old to purchase a semi-automatic weapon. “And so what we’re trying to do is make that consistent.”
Per the Legislative Counsel’s digest:
Existing law prohibits a child under the age of 18 years from handling, possessing, or controlling a firearm under certain circumstances. (NRS 202.300) Section 1 of this bill makes it a gross misdemeanor for a person who is less than 21 years of age to possess or control a: (1) semiautomatic shotgun; or (2) semiautomatic centerfire rifle….
Existing law authorizes a child who is 14 years of age or older and who, among other requirements, has a valid hunting license, to handle, possess or control a: (1) rifle or shotgun; or (2) firearm capable of being concealed upon the person. However, existing law provides that the rifle or shotgun must not be a fully automatic firearm. (NRS 202.300) Section 3 of this bill prohibits a child who is 14 years of age or older from handling, possessing, or controlling a semiautomatic shotgun or semiautomatic centerfire rifle.

Senator Robin Titus’ legislation gets a hearing.
Tuesday in Health and Human Services, Senator Robin Titus presented SB 241. This bill requires Medicaid to compensate critical care hospitals for the full charge of their services. If passed, the bill would ensure rural hospitals are appropriately reimbursed for their work in keeping Nevadans healthy and safe.