Legislature of the State of Nevada

Legislature of the State of Nevada

The Nevada Legislature is the lawmaking branch of the state government, responsible for passing laws, approving budgets, and representing the people of Nevada. It operates as a **bicameral body**, composed of two chambers: the **Nevada Senate** and the **Nevada Assembly**.

The Legislature meets every **two years** for a regular session unless a special session is called.

Structure and Composition

• Nevada Senate

 * 21 members
 * Senators serve four-year terms, staggered so that about half are elected every two years.
 

• Nevada Assembly

 * 42 members
 * Assembly members serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election in even-numbered years.

Legislative districts are redrawn after each U.S. Census to ensure equal representation based on population.

Sessions and Procedures

• Regular sessions occur **biennially**, starting the **first Monday in February of odd-numbered years**.
• Sessions are constitutionally limited to **120 calendar days**, though special sessions may be called by the Governor or by petition of two-thirds of each chamber.

During a session, lawmakers:

• Introduce and debate bills
• Amend existing laws
• Approve the state budget
• Provide oversight of executive agencies

Leadership

• The Senate is presided over by the **President of the Senate**, typically the Lieutenant Governor, though the day-to-day leadership is handled by the **Senate Majority Leader**.
• The Assembly is led by the **Speaker of the Assembly**, who is elected by members at the beginning of each session.

Party control of the chambers can significantly impact legislative priorities and leadership positions.

Lawmaking Process

1. A bill is introduced by a legislator or committee. 2. The bill is assigned to a committee for hearings and amendments. 3. If approved, it moves to the floor for debate and a vote. 4. The process repeats in the second chamber. 5. Once passed by both chambers, it is sent to the Governor for signature or veto.

The Governor can veto a bill, but the Legislature may override the veto with a **two-thirds vote** in both chambers.

Legislative Support Services

• The **Legislative Counsel Bureau (LCB)** provides nonpartisan legal, fiscal, research, and administrative services to legislators.
• LCB also manages the public-facing legislative website and publishes official bill texts, session calendars, and committee information.

Public Participation

Nevada encourages public involvement through:

• Testimony at committee hearings (in person or via videoconference)
• Online tracking of bills and floor sessions
• Contact with legislators via email or phone
• The "Share Your Opinion" tool on the legislative website

Legislative History

• Nevada’s original constitution (1864) established the bicameral Legislature.
• Over time, reforms have modernized procedures, introduced term limits, and improved public access.