The Nevada Assembly Committee on Ways and Means convened on May 24, 2025, to discuss several significant legislative measures, with Senate Bill 442 taking center stage. This bill mandates the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada to implement new reporting requirements for utility companies regarding residential service disconnections.

Senator Melanie Scheibel, representing Senate District 9, presented the bill, emphasizing its goal of enhancing transparency around utility disconnections. "This is a worthwhile investment for Nevadans to provide additional transparency to inform policy on service disconnections," she stated, highlighting the importance of public access to this data. The bill includes a modest fiscal note of $7,632, which will be funded through a mill tax on utility companies, ensuring no burden on the general fund.

The committee heard supportive testimony from Cade Grogan of Western Resource Advocates and Christy Cabrera Georgeson from the Nevada Conservation League, both advocating for the bill's potential to improve accountability in utility practices. Notably, there were no opposing testimonies, indicating broad support for the measure.

In addition to SB 442, the committee also reviewed Senate Bill 106, which aims to unify the wake zone regulations around Lake Tahoe, and Senate Bill 87, which ensures that victims of sexual assault do not bear the costs of medical examinations. Both bills received positive feedback, with SB 106 addressing long-standing regulatory oversights and SB 87 reinforcing support for victims.

As the committee closed the hearings, the discussions underscored a commitment to enhancing public utility transparency and supporting vulnerable populations in Nevada. The anticipated outcomes of these bills could lead to more informed policy decisions and improved protections for residents.