Koenig Provides Update on Key Rural Nevada Bills

Assemblyman Greg Koenig (R-AD38) is on a mission to help rural Nevada. During this legislative session, he focused on infrastructure improvements, healthcare shortfalls, agriculture, and emergency services. While some bills have moved forward, others have faced ongoing roadblocks. 

One of Koenig's greatest frustrations this session was his county road construction bill, which failed to pass. Under current law, counties can only manage road projects up to $250,000—an overly outdated cap that hasn't kept pace with inflation. His proposal to raise the cap to $500,000 would help rural counties handle mid-sized projects without relying on private contractors. The bill had bipartisan support but stalled due to union opposition over prevailing wage requirements.

"They wanted counties to pay employees up to $150 an hour for roadwork," Koenig said. "That wasn't realistic, so they packed the hearing with opposition, and the bill died."

One of his biggest wins was creating a Level IV trauma designation for rural hospitals. Nevada has major trauma centers in Las Vegas and Reno, but nothing in between. "This gives rural hospitals a real emergency care designation," Koenig said. "It helps recruit doctors and ensures better access to lifesaving care for people who get in accidents in the middle of nowhere."

Koenig also helped pass a bill allowing mobile meat processing for commercial and custom use. Now that Nevada can conduct state-level meat inspections, ranchers can process livestock locally instead of hauling animals across state lines. "This keeps money in our local economy and makes it easier for ranchers to sell directly to consumers," he said.

Koenig backed a bill providing a $350 vehicle registration credit for those who serve at least six months to address dwindling volunteer firefighter numbers. "Volunteer numbers are way down," he said. "Lovelock had 30 firefighters five years ago—now they have 15. Every little bit helps."

Another bill important to Koenig ensures domestic violence victims get free access to court documents, the same benefit already available to sexual assault survivors. 

Koenig said rural Nevada has strong representation in Carson City, with Senator Robin Titus as Minority Leader and himself as the Assembly's Floor Minority Leader.

"That gives our district a strong voice at the state level," he said.