Assemblyman Koenig Reflects on Legislative Wins for Rural Nevada

Representing Fallon and rural central Nevada, State Assemblyman Greg Koenig says he’s proud of his performance in the 83rd Nevada Legislative Session, which concluded earlier this year. A longtime local and familiar face in the community, Koenig introduced ten bills — all of which reached the legislative floor. Five were passed into law, and he noted that Republican lawmakers introduced a record number of bills this session.

Among Koenig’s key accomplishments was AB326, a bill establishing trauma center designations for rural hospitals. Koenig said hospitals in Nevada are classified by their capacity to treat trauma patients: Las Vegas has one Level 1 hospital, Reno hospitals are designated Level 2, and other centers are Level 3. His bill created a new Level 4 designation for small, rural hospitals, such as those in Fallon, Hawthorne and Lovelock. With this classification, the hospitals become eligible for additional funding for training, equipment, and staffing.

Koenig is also pleased his bill regarding mobile meat processing passed both houses unanimously. AB251 instructs the State Quarantine Officer to establish regulations for the operation of a mobile commercial slaughter unit. Before this bill, producers in remote areas had limited access to meat processing facilities. AB251 removes the requirement that a "custom processing establishment" be a fixed facility. Mobile slaughter units are now regulated the same as any slaughterhouse. This bill does not apply to those selling meat wholesale, but it does apply to individuals raising meat for their family’s personal consumption.

Bill AB193 allows victims of domestic violence to receive a copy of all law enforcement reports related to their situation. Koenig said existing law allowed victims of sexual assault access to the police reports, and it was common sense to extend the same rights to domestic violence victims. Law enforcement agencies must furnish the requested report within one month.

One of Koenig’s disappointments was AB84. This bill said that if a county road construction project was put out to bid two times but didn’t receive any bids, the project could be performed by the county road department. If a job is estimated to cost between $100,000 and $250,000, existing law allows local highway commissioners to determine if county employees can perform that job; AB84 would have raised that project cost amount up to $547,570. Koenig said, “The unions killed” AB84. When the bill was read on the Assembly floor, about 30 people from the unions showed up to protest it, including people from the teachers and culinary unions alongside construction union members. Koenig said the unions wield a lot of power, and that union personnel from Las Vegas often squash bills that would have provided opportunities for small towns.

Koenig plans to seek re-election in 2026, sits on three committees: Education, Health and Human Services, and Ways and Means. The Nevada Independent reported that during the 2025 session, Koenig voted with the Democratic majority against his Republican colleagues 12 times — the highest among Republican Assemblymembers. However, Koenig defends his record by saying he never voted against the Republican caucus if they had an opinion on a bill. But if the caucus didn’t offer an opinion, Koenig used "common sense" to determine how he would vote.

Koenig, was the only Republican to vote in favor of designating July as Muslim American Heritage Month. While the bill passed both houses, it was ultimately vetoed by the governor. Koenig said the bill had no fiscal impact and offered an opportunity for public education about the religion. He said he voted similarly for a Jewish American Heritage Month bill.

"People realize they can work with me," Koenig said. Because the Democrats controlled both houses of the legislature and which bills were heard, he was selective in which bills he presented. "A partisan bill doesn’t have a chance," he said.