[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6509485,"mediaKeyId","5424826-f80532d86adf2c18ae24e96afeb15217","parentId",5424826,"title","Executive director reports budget requests, case backlog and technology plans","audioSeconds",491,"startMs",4304000,"endMs",4795000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5424826-f80532d86adf2c18ae24e96afeb15217&start=4304&end=4795","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5424826-f80532d86adf2c18ae24e96afeb15217/thumbnail_4304000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6509485/Nevada/Executive-director-reports-budget-requests-case-backlog-and-technology-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509485-f8aead37399c1598d2dcfaa350cdb078/orig.mp4?Expires=1770507432&Signature=ZnGGERO4ck4qjMFN5MZMK8~KXTYbp1Kn-Ui29EaryXy8K19KetzQ5azQ~YQyPDYbgmLISx~p7C7eQFlz7MKjIvqjTGcUpp2cXrqFzcjjCaUIZXkHC7il~UoEQt16nbCI7ddbwII1Qei-kQPCyOIto3CdS-WX6B8w1N12VkqnnigZjKpYXpRpM8fp5fDVDukujvJ6fBV5H83oQM-JJvI2tFxnXItbSas2kyv2D9iDVUJSziNU5BwpWscezChL~e~OppIPi5wD2hsUpaS6QQZg~6Xms5BgF-yaY5TR0OrRdO8ZR-IpAeHXnKO7MlovSXhs107QQzixW0jx3f~Kt9jtqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada Commission on Ethics","date","2025-07-18T00:00:00Z","article","Executive Director Ross Armstrong updated the Nevada Commission on Ethics on agency operations, the governor’s recommended budget and a new quarterly case log showing increases in incoming complaints.

Armstrong said the governor’s recommended budget includes funding for educational subscriptions for outreach and a requested case-management-system upgrade the commission sought. Staff told commissioners a separate request to relocate the office from Carson City to Reno was not included in the recommendation; any relocation would need to be handled within current funds unless the legislature approves an appropriation.

On case processing, Armstrong introduced a new quarterly case log intended to improve reporting and planning. He said the case log currently shows 24 matters “pending panel,” but noted several of those entries reflect multiple-subject or multi-member investigations; after the review-panel matters heard at this meeting, the office expects the active distinct-case count to shrink to about 10 cases. Armstrong also noted a calendar-year increase in incoming complaints: 23 more complaints in 2024 than in 2023. He said a summary metric in the log shows an average process time of about 71 days from complaint receipt to disposition for the fiscal-year reporting period.

On staffing, Armstrong described continued work to fill an associate counsel position, including potential underfill strategies and remote-location options for candidates in Las Vegas. He said the office is conducting a time-study to support any future staffing requests tied to the commission’s strategic plan. Armstrong also described a plan to rotate staff attendance at national conferences and said outreach and education staff attended the 2024 COGEL conference.

On outreach and education, Outreach and Education Officer Sam Harvey reported training metrics and outreach activities: 15 attendees at a newly elected officers briefing, continued Nevada Ethics Online (NEO) use, and an increase in the number of people trained compared with prior years. Harvey said public-records requests to the commission total 60 since the start of the fiscal year; the report shows approximately 18 public-records requests in fiscal year 2025 to date versus 13 at the same point the previous fiscal year. Harvey also said the commission’s social-media audience fluctuates and staff are tracking new platforms such as Blue Sky while maintaining existing channels.

Ending: Armstrong asked commissioners to watch for weekly legislative updates during session and to confer with staff about travel for the February meeting in Las Vegas; staff will return with further details on case-management procurement, recruitment plans for associate counsel and language-access follow-ups.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 16 2025 Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Executive Director Ross Armstrong told the Nevada Commission on Ethics the governor’s recommended budget includes funding for educational subscriptions and a requested case-management-system upgrade, and staff presented a new quarterly case log showing an increased caseload.","taxTitle","Commission on Ethics, Independent Boards, Commissions, or Councils, Organizations, Executive, Nevada","taxId",56895,"location","Nevada","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6509488,"Commission delegates authority to chair for legislative-direction during 2025 session",367,3828000,4195000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5424826-f80532d86adf2c18ae24e96afeb15217&start=3828&end=4195","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5424826-f80532d86adf2c18ae24e96afeb15217/thumbnail_3828000.jpg","/articles/6509488/Nevada/Commission-delegates-authority-to-chair-for-legislative-direction-during-2025-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509488-4ea6f614183d2c3a070c92b1f28c8b02/orig.mp4?Expires=1770507432&Signature=cxAB6q6yfqVa-SJu~WDo8BDX1QjYZnqEwBzA9XHbF4hU~Wc7D31iAoawasPGbvO9hbuh35WlS2zfxNasT3-Prr6VjwtIEbVXTJf1o9eSHvCEKrbHivDwDC2Vayx0PeM7WsFfFy9IlHVWvykjTuEabkIsZcByf7VbS0pwrn1KzXMkY2NofzsVAvpl4r-ew-o7e72qFaejbY41QtLF8BmKCLVnZcToZ2HHMEnAS9-bZ6lour0Q40eyg1XcfLmI~Jz60lsoNDuSy5vfOjxuaj5NjlRDYfKnco1XDPm3CyWVDFXBEaAdb18Y4Q2p9yVb~7zHz4pKaOcC7XvGRCfK523meQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nevada Commission on Ethics on Friday delegated authority to the commission chair to provide direction to the executive director and staff on legislative matters during the 2025 legislative session.

Executive Director Ross Armstrong said the delegation is intended to avoid frequent special meetings if a rapid decision is necessary on a bill affecting the commission. He said the chair will consult the vice chair when available and will include updates in a weekly informational memorandum he will circulate during the session.

Commissioner Reynolds moved the delegation, noting the commission’s administrative rules already allow the vice chair to perform duties of the chair when the chair is unavailable. Commissioner Moran seconded. Commissioners emphasized they expect chair and vice chair to consult each other and to involve other commissioners as necessary.

The motion passed unanimously.

Ending: Armstrong said he will issue weekly session updates to the commissioners and will seek input from the chair and vice chair when issues arise that require directional decisions.","The Nevada Commission on Ethics authorized the chair to provide direction to the executive director on legislative matters during the 2025 session, with expectation the vice chair can act if the chair is unavailable and that the chair will keep commissioners informed.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6509492,"Nevada Commission on Ethics adopts language access plan required by state law",500,3311000,3811000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5424826-f80532d86adf2c18ae24e96afeb15217&start=3311&end=3811","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5424826-f80532d86adf2c18ae24e96afeb15217/thumbnail_3311000.jpg","/articles/6509492/Nevada/Nevada-Commission-on-Ethics-adopts-language-access-plan-required-by-state-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509492-2ca4e9eadc598fd74d51be10e54abc49/orig.mp4?Expires=1770507432&Signature=auRsGPAnoJnGIRnqIPKx-d7aCVjyyN9gswpiJdxa1aHTGC2Kg4ippPieucns5~uPX3inwpmCAMcC1Ff~DcqK5dltXMLOLjRA0WI-R47uDXJzy16QJiGL5xXFTu7nXH6qs6mfBr7jQWrt3MX7qVBerDuI~RZDiPx7O6nG-Vck3zwHpYQ3JyqRljZ4vCLKs7n5e2LQIMbNGLYNeNba2b-ECYR4f~xBnkMOtkQ4fIO31-4F70v0pGmBfIPM3Jb6Rub1C55mkMeCK2SlQUcFSIyk91CAvH1-XuVWxAkFp3Js7aCPakTMoJHXferDIJOtisGzB6z2ZK0Oy0mDSuLG1RLwow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nevada Commission on Ethics adopted a language access plan on Friday intended to meet the requirements of NRS 232.0081 and improve public access to the commission’s education, outreach and meeting materials.

Executive Director Ross Armstrong told commissioners the plan follows a template from the Governor’s Office for New Americans and begins by assessing the commission’s needs as a small regulatory agency that provides education, receives advisory requests and holds public meetings. Armstrong said the commission does not currently collect language demographic data as part of its intake forms but uses census data to estimate local language needs.

The plan lists current services and opportunities for improvement: state websites served with a translation widget (Google Translate), closed-captioning options on YouTube meeting postings, a contact line on agendas for accommodation requests and funding for training and language skill development for staff. Armstrong said the commission has approved funding and training registration for its outreach and education officer to improve American Sign Language and Spanish skills, and he agreed to follow up with specifics on courses.

The plan identifies near-term improvements including translating vital forms into the top non-English languages in the state (Spanish, Tagalog and Chinese, per the plan), creating a process to request translation services for public meetings, and exploring partnerships with agencies that serve deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. Armstrong said the plan will be reviewed annually.

A commissioner noted that a prior legislative request estimated translation of vital forms could cost about $3,000; Armstrong said there currently is no line item in the commission’s budget for translations but the governor’s recommended budget includes additional funding for educational subscriptions and a requested case-management upgrade that the commission sought.

A motion to adopt the language access plan was moved and seconded; the commission voted in favor without recorded opposition.

Ending: The commission directed staff to return with specifics on the outreach officer’s ASL and Spanish training, to explore partnerships for deaf and hard-of-hearing services, and to identify options and costs for translating key materials.","The commission approved a language access plan under NRS 232.0081, committed to annual review and identified initial steps including staff language training, website translate widgets and exploring translated vital forms.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6509497,"Nevada Commission on Ethics vacates Devon Reese deferral agreement, orders further proceedings",2922,362000,3284000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5424826-f80532d86adf2c18ae24e96afeb15217&start=362&end=3284","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5424826-f80532d86adf2c18ae24e96afeb15217/thumbnail_362000.jpg","/articles/6509497/Nevada/Nevada-Commission-on-Ethics-vacates-Devon-Reese-deferral-agreement-orders-further-proceedings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509497-8b21287b106fdffc1c78b83b95730d82/orig.mp4?Expires=1770507432&Signature=B5XzsmwTQEsn8r49NeXlwFJGBb6Wl58rpqfw6cezxWJK2B9hncM7BZe8RfI0aHvYmBUtSA2KxGQz~7VkqVVqo1DMoMMExJ7FUBj-o6kiy8NcmWpbqesf8F5CyHLXutU8yRwrjibo1UNYZxUbqLb5EXrDx4Vp5Mdvp5~t-5iZ~qFY-KP5OljDGemJg10b-pSh6V1Ya58mfde700KQRvQp8OLXqeQnw5je-jUsZQQ4pjo8U8VP4dnMS2QbOLeI-Qnr6xflZio5sAgjqF-SFmWgJSSujMekIyaOz4-RqLrxKnkm6kLiOoSwTEP9~SlhdFoKQIQ47tVa-SSwQ~RTaSrk5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nevada Commission on Ethics voted Friday to find that Devon Reese failed to comply with a previously issued deferral agreement and to vacate that agreement, sending the underlying matter to further proceedings before the commission.

The vote followed presentations from Executive Director Ross Armstrong and counsel for Reese. Armstrong told commissioners the case “is, in my mind, a simple and straightforward matter,” and said the commission’s investigation showed two trips that provided private benefit to Reese with a total value “in excess of $1,300.” He said those trips occurred after Reese signed a deferral agreement in April 2023 and after Reese completed required ethics training.

The commission’s action matters because a deferral agreement is intended to give a subject time and assistance to bring conduct into compliance; the commission said a review-panel finding of just and sufficient cause on a subsequent complaint is the contract trigger to consider vacating a deferral.

Armstrong outlined the timeline in the materials provided to the commission: a deferral agreement signed in April 2023, training completed in May 2023, two trips within months after the agreement, complaints filed later and an investigation that led a review panel in September to find just and sufficient cause to proceed on at least one subsequent complaint. Armstrong said the panel finding — not merely the filing of a complaint — is the contractual trigger for a violation of the deferral agreement and that the commission should not allow a party to remain on a deferral agreement after that trigger occurs.

Jonathan Shipman, counsel for Reese, acknowledged that the review panel moved the subsequent matter forward but urged the commission not to vacate the deferral agreement. Shipman argued the matters pending before the commission are factually distinct (one concerns disclosure and abstention, the others involve alleged misuse of city funds for travel) and said the corrective measures required by the earlier deferral — training, a conflict-checking process and disclosures — had been implemented. He said the pending matters had not yet been adjudicated and urged that the commission not re-open the earlier deferral case for additional proceedings as a matter of efficiency and fairness.

Commissioners asked questions about the scope of the deferral agreement, the standard that triggers vacatur, and whether findings in the pending, separate complaints could be used later in adjudications. Armstrong and counsel explained the office’s view that the agreement requires compliance with NRS chapter 281A in all material respects and that a review-panel determination of just and sufficient cause on a post-agreement complaint is the contract trigger.

After a closed-session discussion with counsel, Vice Chair Wallen moved that the commission find Reese failed to comply with the deferral agreement; Wallen also moved that the commission vacate the agreement and conduct further proceedings in the matter. The motion was seconded. The motion carried unanimously among those voting; Commissioner Lowry abstained because she had served on the review panel that considered the subsequent complaint.

The commission will schedule further adjudicatory proceedings so the facts underlying the panel’s determination can be litigated before the full commission. The executive director said that, if the commission referred the vacated deferral agreement for adjudication, the commission could then determine whether any violations were willful or nonwillful and consider appropriate remedies.

The action does not itself resolve the merits of the separate, pending complaints about alleged misuse of city funds; those matters remain scheduled for later proceedings and, as counsel noted, will be decided on their own merits.

Ending: The commission’s vote to vacate the deferral agreement returns the matter to the formal adjudicatory track; the executive director and commission counsel said they will notify the parties and issue a scheduling order for the next phase of proceedings.","The Nevada Commission on Ethics found that former deferral-agreement recipient Devon Reese failed to comply with the agreement and voted to vacate it and refer the matter for further proceedings after review-panel findings and an investigation into alleged improper use of city resources.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Executive director reports budget requests, case backlog and technology plans

Commission delegates authority to chair for legislative-direction during 2025 session

Nevada Commission on Ethics adopts language access plan required by state law

Nevada Commission on Ethics vacates Devon Reese deferral agreement, orders further proceedings