Proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to require that the language of a bill or joint resolution be made available to the public for at least 72 hours before a House may vote on the final passage of the bill or joint resolution. (BDR C-20)
Summary
AJR2 proposes a constitutional amendment to require that the full language of any bill or joint resolution be posted on the Nevada Legislature’s website for at least 72 hours before either house can take a final passage vote. The resolution applies to all measures, including joint resolutions, and is intended to give the public and lawmakers more time to review final bill language before action is taken.
The proposal also preserves an emergency exception: the 72-hour posting requirement may be waived only if the Governor requests the waiver for an emergency. The resolution would amend Article 4, Section 18 of the Nevada Constitution, which already governs legislative procedure such as readings, final passage votes, and revenue-related supermajority requirements. If approved, the change would become effective upon passage of the resolution.
Impact
If adopted, AJR2 would change Nevada’s Constitution and impose a new procedural requirement on the legislative process by mandating a 72-hour online public availability period before final votes on bills and joint resolutions. It would affect how the Assembly and Senate schedule floor action, especially near deadlines, and would likely require adjustments to legislative workflow, posting practices, and bill timing. The measure would not directly change substantive policy areas or create new programs, but it would alter the rules governing enactment of state law.
Sentiment
The available record suggests generally favorable or reform-oriented sentiment, with the resolution framed as a transparency and public-access measure. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no evidence of formal opposition or support in the materials beyond the bill’s stated purpose. The overall tone of the proposal is procedural and aimed at increasing notice and review time before final legislative action.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely to be the balance between transparency and legislative flexibility. Supporters would view the 72-hour requirement as a safeguard against rushed lawmaking and a way to improve public participation, while critics may argue it could slow the Legislature, complicate end-of-session negotiations, or limit the ability to respond quickly to urgent issues. The emergency waiver provision suggests an attempt to address that concern, but it is narrowly limited to emergencies requested by the Governor.
Read the Bills ActThis bill establishes requirements for bills and resolutions to be introduced or considered by the Senate or the House of Representatives.First, the bill requires any bill or resolution to cite the specific powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact all provisions in the proposed measure. Without this information, the measure may not be accepted by the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate or submitted for a final vote. Each measure must also set forth the current law such measure is amending and show the proposed modifications to the law (except where a complete section of law is stricken). Further, a vote on final passage of such measure may not occur unless (1) the full text of the measure is published at least seven days before the vote, (2) public notice of the calendar week during which the vote is scheduled to take place is posted at least six days before the Monday of such week, and (3) the full text of the measure is read verbatim to the assembled body in each chamber. Members must affirm in writing that they read the measure in full or were present throughout the reading before voting in favor of passing the measure (i.e., such requirements do not apply for a member who votes against passage).The bill also authorizes a person aggrieved by a violation of the bill's provisions to sue for appropriate relief (such as an injunction against enacting the measure).
JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF SUFFRAGE (Proposes to the voters of the state a constitutional amendment regarding eligibility to vote and to be a candidate.)