The Nevada Legislature meets on a biennial basis (every two years) and is one of only six states with legislatures on this schedule. The Legislature is composed of a 42 member Assembly and a 21 member Senate. During biennial regular sessions, which are limited to 120 days, the Legislature must work on proposed new laws and regulations, deal with proposed changes to existing statutes, and adopt a budget for the next two years. Every 10 years after the federal census, the Nevada Constitution requires the Legislature to reapportion district boundaries to reflect population changes.
Nevada Assembly and Senate
The total number of members in the Nevada Legislature, and the relationship of those numbers to each other, is defined by the Nevada Constitution. The Senate must be at least one third but no more than one half the size of the Assembly. The total number, however, can be set by the Legislature up to the constitutional limit of 75. As of 2011, there were 42 Assembly members and 21 Senate members. Most of these legislators represent districts in Clark County (Las Vegas), where the majority of Nevada's population is concentrated. Washoe County (Reno and vicinity) is the other area in Nevada with an urban concentration and several representatives in the Nevada Legislature. The few remaining legislators represent rural residents spread across the vast open spaces of Nevada.
Regular Sessions of the Nevada Legislature
The Nevada Legislature meets on a biennial (every two years) basis buring odd-numbered years. Regular sessions begin on the first Monday in February and, since 1988, are constitutionally limited to 120 days. Only six states have biennial legislatures.
Adopting a state budget for the next two years is one of the top priorities of each Legislative session. The Governor is required to submit his or her budget proposal to the Legislature at least two weeks before the beginning of the session.
Special Sessions of the Nevada Legislature
Special sessions of the Legislature (sessions outside the 120 day regular session period) may be called by the Governor. Special sessions can deal with any state government concerns, but have increasingly been called due to budget issues. The Governor controls the special session agenda and must state the specific purpose for the session. During special sessions, the Legislature may only act on the subjects for which the session was convened.
Terms of Office
All Assembly members are elected to two-year terms at the general election in even-numbered years. Members of the Senate serve four-year terms. Senators are elected in alternate years, with 10 being elected in one general election and 11 in the next. Term limits came into effect with the 2010 election - members of the Legislature can only serve 12 years in either house. However, those termed out in one chamber can seek election to the other if they have not served there before or have yet to reach the term limit for service in that chamber.
Legislative Council Bureau
The Legislative Council Bureau provides staff support to the Legislature through several divisions - fiscal, legal, research, audit, and administrative. The Bureau is non-partisan and is supervised by a Legislative Commission composed of six members from each house of the Legislature.
Interim Committees of the Nevada Legislature
Between regular sessions, a number of interim committees work on issues and make recommendations for the next legislative session. Interim committees may hold public hearings, engage in research, and debate possible legislation for the upcoming session.
The Citizen's Guide to Interim Committees of the Nevada Legislature provides a good overview of these committees and what they have to do with lawmaking in Nevada.
Nevada Legislature Live Online Broadcasts
The Nevada Legislature provides live broadcasts of various meetings and proceedings. To find out what is playing and when, go to the Live Broadcasts page and follow the viewing directions.
Source: Nevada Legislature.
