Nearly 200 New Laws Hit Nevadans Starting July 1

Starting July 1, nearly 200 new laws take effect in Nevada—a clear signal that lawmakers in Carson City are staying true to one thing: expanding government influence over nearly every aspect of life. From firearms and school policy to university contracts and AI regulations, the state’s latest legislative session delivered a buffet of big-government rules, fees, and limitations.

One of the more controversial changes is Senate Bill 347, which allows law enforcement to confiscate firearms from citizens undergoing a mental health crisis hold—a move that gives police broad authority to seize weapons without due process, albeit with a promise to return them later unless a protection order is filed. Constitutional concerns aside, how long until such laws become tools for overreach rather than safety?

Assembly Bill 48 gives school boards the ability to transfer student bullies to other schools in the district. While accountability in education is essential, should government officials now decide which students stay and which get relocated? More bureaucracy doesn’t necessarily solve character issues or improve safety for victims.

On the roads, AB 55 expands the power of coroners to test deceased drivers not just for alcohol, but for any “commonly misused substances.” The law also alters the timeline and procedures for reporting those findings. While transparency is key, the expansion of state surveillance and shifting definitions always deserves scrutiny.

On the college front, SB 293 now allows universities to sign name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals directly with athletes—but with a twist: those contracts are exempt from public record laws. In other words, taxpayer-funded institutions can now cut secret deals. Shouldn’t the public have the right to know how state schools are spending resources and shaping student incentives?

In a nod to surveillance over safety, AB 527 gives school districts permission to install cameras on buses to enforce stop sign violations. But here’s the catch—any movement captured won’t count as a moving violation. Is this about safety, or just more window dressing with no teeth?

A few feel-good bills also slipped through. One creates a license plate for Nevada State University, another protects religious displays like mezuzahs from being banned by landlords or HOAs. But even those come with strings—higher DMV fees for one, and size limits on religious expression for the other.

On the tech side, AB 406 draws a line in the sand: AI cannot replace human counselors in public schools. A rare nod to protecting human jobs in education, this policy actually shows some restraint, though it also adds another layer of regulation.

Meanwhile, the government is doubling down on control over transparency—AB 128 establishes a Public Records Task Force to evaluate Nevada’s records system and make suggestions by 2027. Another task force, more taxpayer money, and no guarantee of results.

Lastly, digital license plates could be coming soon under AB 296. While the DMV says the system isn’t available yet, it’s a step closer to more tracking, more fees, and less privacy on the road.

As July begins, Nevadans should ask themselves: Are we gaining more freedom—or just more rules? Is this the kind of governance that truly empowers individuals, or is the state simply tightening its grip in every corner of our lives?

Source: Nevada Legislative Session Records