Senator Pizzina advocates for small business license fee reduction in Nevada
May 31, 2025 | 2025 Legislature NV, Nevada
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The Assembly Committee on Ways and Means convened on May 30, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 240, which proposes revisions to state business license provisions aimed at supporting small businesses in Nevada. Senator Julie Pizzina, representing Senate District 12 in Clark County, presented the bill, emphasizing its intent to reduce financial barriers for small businesses.
Senate Bill 240 seeks to lower the cost of obtaining required licenses and permits from $200 to $100 for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, applicable only during their first year of operation. Pizzina noted that many businesses currently face duplicative licensing fees at both city and state levels, which can hinder their success.
The bill's effective date has been adjusted to July 1, 2027, ensuring no immediate fiscal impact on the current biennium. Pizzina acknowledged that the Secretary of State's office is still gathering data on the number of small businesses that would benefit from this legislation, as current records do not require businesses to report their employee counts.
Committee members raised concerns about the potential revenue loss for the state, with an unsolicited fiscal note indicating a possible impact of $40,000 in fiscal year 2027. Pizzina and Gabriel Bridal Cara, Chief Deputy Secretary of State, discussed the implications of the bill on state revenue, with Bridal Cara suggesting that the effective date change could eliminate the need for the projected programming costs associated with implementing the bill.
Bridal Cara also highlighted that the fiscal note represents a maximum estimate based on voluntary data from businesses, and improvements in data collection systems could lead to more accurate projections in the future. The committee expressed a cautious optimism that the bill could ultimately stimulate economic growth by encouraging the establishment of new small businesses, leading to increased revenue and job creation in Nevada.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to further analyze the fiscal implications of the bill and to gather additional data before the next legislative session. The discussions underscored the balance between supporting small businesses and ensuring state revenue stability.
Senate Bill 240 seeks to lower the cost of obtaining required licenses and permits from $200 to $100 for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, applicable only during their first year of operation. Pizzina noted that many businesses currently face duplicative licensing fees at both city and state levels, which can hinder their success.
The bill's effective date has been adjusted to July 1, 2027, ensuring no immediate fiscal impact on the current biennium. Pizzina acknowledged that the Secretary of State's office is still gathering data on the number of small businesses that would benefit from this legislation, as current records do not require businesses to report their employee counts.
Committee members raised concerns about the potential revenue loss for the state, with an unsolicited fiscal note indicating a possible impact of $40,000 in fiscal year 2027. Pizzina and Gabriel Bridal Cara, Chief Deputy Secretary of State, discussed the implications of the bill on state revenue, with Bridal Cara suggesting that the effective date change could eliminate the need for the projected programming costs associated with implementing the bill.
Bridal Cara also highlighted that the fiscal note represents a maximum estimate based on voluntary data from businesses, and improvements in data collection systems could lead to more accurate projections in the future. The committee expressed a cautious optimism that the bill could ultimately stimulate economic growth by encouraging the establishment of new small businesses, leading to increased revenue and job creation in Nevada.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to further analyze the fiscal implications of the bill and to gather additional data before the next legislative session. The discussions underscored the balance between supporting small businesses and ensuring state revenue stability.
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