The Nevada special session ended November 16 with Gov. Steve Sisolak signing off on updated redistricting maps.

The Democratic-controlled Legislature passed the maps with zero support from the Republican minority and expect lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the maps.

The new maps increase Democratic footholds in the state’s swing districts, in part by redistributing roughly one out of every seven Latino residents from the first district to the third and fourth districts.

With the looming lawsuits on the horizon, Democrats have been mostly silent on their reasoning for the new boundaries.

A special session announced by Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak begins November 12 to vote on new congressional maps.

Nevada is a swing state with 38% of voters not identifying with the Democratic or Republican party, raising the political importance of the special session.

Currently, Democrats control the Legislature and the Governor’s Office, allowing for the creation of maps that lean in their favor.

The Democratic maps look to wrestle control of downtown Reno from the Republicans and to sure-up control of two hotly contested districts in Washoe County.

This does affect lobbyist reporting.

A lobbyist activity report will be due December 10, covering the month of November, and a termination and final report for the special session will be due 30 days after the close of the special session.

The Nevada Legislature adjourned sine die June 1.

In the last day of the session, the Legislature passed bills to license cannabis lounges; overhaul state voting policies; change the date of the state’s presidential primary; and mandate all active voters be sent a mail-in ballot in future elections.

Earlier in the year, Nevada passed a bill changing the definition of lobbyist to remove the provision requiring an appearance in person in the Legislative Building or any other building in which the Legislature or any of the standing committees hold meetings.

This does affect lobbyist reporting.

The July 10 lobbyist activity report for activity in June, must be filed before the termination and final report due July 1.

The Nevada Legislature’s 31st special session came to an end Sunday after 12 legislative days of grinding progress on a focused agenda to close a $1.2 billion state budget gap.

During the budget focused special session, lawmakers passed four bills implementing a vast majority of budget changes.

Still ahead are a possible second session and further fiscal tightening.

These will come amid uncertainty over another possible round of federal assistance, a resurgent virus spread, and stagnant or worsening economic trends.

Gov. Steve Sisolak stated he would postpone calling a second legislative session due to concerns over a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Gov. Steve Sisolak officially called for the Nevada Legislature to convene in a special session on July 8 to address the state’s fiscal year 2021 budget crisis.

At a later date, the governor’s office will issue the formal proclamation to convene the special session.

Gov. Sisolak and legislative leadership are working to assess potential additional items to be included in any special session proclamation.

These additions will be including policy proposals related to criminal and social justice reform.

Furthermore, the governor acknowledged the start date could change based on public health conditions.

The public will be able to watch the floor sessions and committee meetings via the Legislature’s livestreams.

Finally, those who wish to participate will be able to teleconference or submit written comments.

This does affect ALERTS reporting.

A lobbyist activity report will be due between the first and tenth of the month after each month the Legislature in in a special session.

On December 19, the Nevada Legislature adjourned its four day special session sine die. Four bills passed facilitating a move to bring the electric car manufacturer Faraday Future to Nevada. The legislation has already been signed into law by Gov. Brian Sandoval.

Photo of the Nevada Legislative Building by Dave Parker on Wikimedia Commons.