The Nevada Senate on May 31, 2025, passed Assembly Bill 123, a measure that prohibits certain threatening or intimidating statements directed at candidates for public office and assigns investigative duties to the Secretary of State.

The bill, introduced in the Assembly by Assemblymember Nadim and described on the Senate floor by Senator Orenshall, makes a first offense a misdemeanor and subsequent offenses gross misdemeanors. It also requires the Secretary of State, upon written notification of an alleged violation, to conduct an investigation, refer suspected violations to the Attorney General, and report the results of the investigation to the candidate who is the subject of the complaint.

Senator Orenshall said on the floor, "Assembly Bill 123 prohibits a person for making certain statements which threaten or intimidate a candidate for public office and makes the threat or intimidation in a manner which places that person who receives the threat or intimidation in reasonable fear that the threat or intimidation will be carried out." The senator summarized the bill's enforcement steps and penalties before the roll was called.

The measure initially passed on a roll call recorded at 13 yeas and 8 nays and was declared passed and sent to the Assembly. Later in the same day, Senator Cannizzaro moved to reconsider that vote. After reconsideration, the Senate voted again: 14 yeas and 7 nays, and the bill was again declared passed and ordered to the Assembly.

The bill directs the Secretary of State to act only upon written notification of an alleged violation; the Secretary must investigate, refer suspected violations to the Attorney General, and notify the candidate of the investigation outcome and whether the matter was referred for prosecution. The legislation does not specify additional investigatory procedures, funding for the Secretary of State's new duties, or timelines for completing investigations beyond the reporting requirement described on the floor.

Supporters on the floor framed the bill as a response to threats and intimidation against candidates; opponents recorded in the roll call opposed the measure, as reflected in the split votes. The transcript does not record extended floor debate beyond the bill summary and procedural motions.

Implementation steps following passage include transmission of the enrolled bill to the Assembly and, if enacted, administration of investigations by the Secretary of State and potential referrals to the Attorney General.