Are Nevadans aware that state legislators can’t amend laws or pass new ones this year? This is a major election year and along with that, some legislative affairs may arise that could benefit from a consistently high-functioning state government.
The Nevada Constitution provides for biennial regular sessions of the Legislature, of not more than 120 consecutive calendar days, beginning on the first Monday of February in each odd-numbered year. So, not this year.
Why should Nevadans care? Because they deserve a consistently functioning government (by the people, for the people). Nevada is one of only four states where legislators don’t meet every year (the others being North Dakota, Montana and Texas).
SJR 11 proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to provide for limited annual regular sessions. It’s been gathering dust since 2017. Why? It’s well overdue that we ask our state legislators that question, and let them know why we feel it is important to have a state government body working for us — including being able to amend or pass new laws- consistently.
Democracy should not be limited to odd-numbered years. It is woven into the fabric of our daily lives and we should have a state government that reflects that.
Until then, I guess, pressing issues that may affect our everyday lives will just have to wait for every odd-numbered year to be addressed by our state government.