All Roll Calls
Yes: 60 • No: 1
NevadaAB55383rd Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET
AN ACT relating to emergency management; transferring the Division of Emergency Management and its powers and duties from the Office of the Military to the Office of the Governor; renaming the Division of Emergency Management to the Office of Emergency Management; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Sponsored By: Assembly Committee on Ways and Means
Signed by Governor
BDR 18-1126
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
24 provisions identified: 14 benefits, 2 costs, 8 mixed.
Pay and injury coverage for Civil Air Patrol
Beginning July 1, 2025, a Nevada Wing Civil Air Patrol member on a state‑authorized mission or training is treated as a state employee. The member is paid $600 per month for that service and qualifies for workers’ compensation if injured.
Grants for homeowners after disasters
The state creates a revolving grant account for people who own and live in homes damaged by a disaster. The emergency office sets who qualifies. Money can be moved from the Disaster Relief Account with approval, but the revolving account cannot exceed 25% of the Disaster Relief Account balance.
Paid time for emergency radio responders
Public employees who are FCC‑licensed amateur radio operators and in RACES or ARES can be relieved to help in disasters in NV, CA, OR, ID, UT, or AZ. The state emergency office or a local emergency group must request it, and the employer must approve. They keep their regular pay for up to 15 working days per calendar year. This time does not reduce their vacation.
Disaster funds and tribal grant access
The Office of Emergency Management can accept grants, gifts, and donations into the Disaster Relief Account. The Attorney General may make agreements so tribal governments can receive grants or loans from the Account, with the Office administering them. The Office runs the Emergency Assistance Account, must preapprove spending, can use up to $250,000 of an uncommitted year‑end balance for equipment or training with approval, must report quarterly, and may seek recovery of unpaid reimbursements through the Attorney General.
Local governments must keep response plans
Each local government must adopt and maintain an emergency response plan. New or revised plans must be filed within 10 days with the Office of Emergency Management and all response agencies. Each year, by December 31, local governments must review and file any updates or a written certification.
Governor control of emergency communications
In an emergency, the Governor may order the state emergency office to take control of all or part of the state communications system. This helps keep critical phone and data services working for the public during a crisis.
Stronger utility emergency planning
Each utility must keep a vulnerability assessment and an emergency plan on file with the state. Utilities must review plans every year and send updates by December 31. Providers of new electric resources must do the same. By June 30 each year, state agencies compile a list of all utilities and providers that must file.
Clearer disaster rulings and grant deadlines
The Governor, some local governing bodies, and the Office of Emergency Management can declare a disaster. A local government may seek a grant or loan only if both its governing body and the Office find the event is a disaster. Agencies can ask the Office to assess damages and decide disaster status, with a written report back. A notice of intent may be filed within 60 days of the disaster decision, and full requests are due within 18 months unless extended by the Chief.
Tighter oversight of homeland security grants
The Office of Emergency Management guides and briefs the Homeland Security Commission on projects and funding priorities. The Commission reviews projects and makes recommendations to the Governor on federal grant applications and distributions. State, local, and tribal governments must adopt any required national systems to receive DHS funds and send proof to the Office; the Office reports quarterly on compliance. Recipients approved for terrorism‑related funds must report award details within 60 days, unless the Office made the award. The Chief may hire state staff to support the Commission.
Stronger school emergency plans and reviews
The Department of Education creates a model emergency plan with help from the Office of Emergency Management and public safety agencies. School plan teams must consult the local emergency director, or the Office if no local office exists. Districts and charter schools must submit each school’s plan to the Office for review. The Office files a yearly compliance report by January 1 and may audit plans. Some Office meetings that review school plans are exempt from the open meeting law. State law now directs schools to notify and work with the Office of Emergency Management.
Cyber planning must involve OEM
Beginning July 1, 2025, groups that develop strategies to protect information systems must consult the Office of Emergency Management and the Chief Information Officer. The Chief of the Office also joins the Nevada Threat Analysis Center Advisory Committee.
Emergency management now under Governor
Nevada moves emergency management to the Governor’s Office and renames it the Office of Emergency Management. The Governor appoints the Chief, who has peace officer powers. The Office is now listed as a public safety agency. The Chief must name a Coordinator of Search and Rescue. The law also repeals several older sections tied to the former structure.
Stronger statewide resilience advisory group
The Chief, with the Governor’s approval, appoints up to 34 experts to the Nevada Resilience Advisory Committee. The Chief or a designee chairs the committee and selects a vice chair. Each year, the committee sets resilience goals, reviews grants, evaluates statewide efforts, and prepares the annual report.
Tribal and disaster ID councils
The state creates a Tribal Emergency Coordinating Council to give Nevada tribes a formal voice in planning and response. It meets each quarter and reports yearly by January 31. A State Disaster Identification Coordination Committee also meets at least once a year to coordinate victim identification work. The disaster ID committee’s meetings are exempt from the open meeting law, and the state must set its rules.
Temporary state funding during emergencies
During a declared emergency, if the Emergency Assistance Account is short on cash, the state emergency chief can request a temporary advance from the State General Fund. The finance director must notify the State Controller and legislative fiscal staff. The advance is repaid when replacement funds arrive.
Yearly behavioral health emergency plan
Each year by December 31, the state health department reviews and updates its behavioral health emergency plan. It must send the updated plan to the Chief of the Office of Emergency Management.
State help for school emergencies
If a school faces an urgent crisis, the principal must call local responders at once. Local agencies can ask the state emergency office for help. If the Governor or a designee agrees, the state coordinates aid and counseling for students and families. The Education Department may share model and local school plans with other government agencies to improve response.
Broadcasters must coordinate emergency plans
Nevada broadcasters must develop coordinated emergency plans with the state emergency office and the Nevada Broadcasters Association. This takes time and resources for stations, but improves public alerts during disasters.
Resort hotels must file emergency plans
Beginning July 1, 2025, each resort hotel must keep an emergency response plan. New or revised plans must be filed within 3 days with local fire, police, and the state emergency office. Hotels must review plans yearly and file updates or a certification by November 1. Plans are confidential and only disclosed by court order or when needed for public safety in an emergency.
Faster sign-ups and limits for health volunteers
Volunteer health registration systems must accept pre‑signups and fast, provisional signups during emergencies. The state can confirm a volunteer’s license and standing and must set rules for quick provisional registration. During an emergency, the state may limit where and what volunteer health or veterinary workers can do. Organizations that use volunteers must coordinate with the state.
Most changes start July 1, 2025
The law takes effect on July 1, 2025. Provisions that name that date start then unless another date is given.
Rules for volunteer health workers
Beginning July 1, 2025, the Office of Emergency Management can change or limit what volunteer health and veterinary workers may do, and such orders take effect immediately. The Office may adopt rules to carry out volunteer provisions and may include volunteers as Nevada emergency personnel under the EMAC compact. Qualified helpers requested by listed entities, including the Office, have legal immunity when acting within their training.
State mutual aid rules for agencies
Nevada’s emergency office runs a statewide mutual aid system. Public agencies join unless they pass a withdrawal resolution. Agencies must train, keep resource lists current each year, and plan together. Requests go through the state office and must be documented within 24 hours; urgent requests are allowed between locals. Helpers can seek payback for reasonable costs, but must give notice within 10 business days and a final claim within 60 days. If payment disputes last past 90 days, either side may go to binding arbitration.
Charter school evacuation space rules
School districts must prepare designated public school spaces for charter schools to use during evacuations. A charter school that evacuates must hold the district harmless and defend it against claims tied to the district’s acts or omissions.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Assembly Committee on Ways and Means
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/29/2025
Final Passage - Senate (As Introduced)
Yes: 20 • No: 0
House vote • 5/26/2025
Final Passage - Assembly (As Introduced)
Yes: 40 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Chapter 279.
6/6/2025legislatureApproved by the Governor.
6/5/2025legislatureEnrolled and delivered to Governor.
6/1/2025legislatureIn Assembly. To enrollment.
5/30/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Title approved. (Yeas: 20, Nays: None, Excused: 1.) To Assembly.
5/29/2025SenateRead second time.
5/28/2025SenatePlaced on Second Reading File.
5/28/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass.
5/28/2025SenateRead first time. Referred to Committee on Government Affairs. To committee.
5/26/2025SenateIn Senate.
5/26/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Title approved. (Yeas: 40, Nays: 1, Excused: 1.) To Senate.
5/26/2025HousePlaced on General File.
5/26/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass.
5/26/2025HouseTo committee.
5/19/2025HouseRereferred to Committee on Ways and Means.
5/19/2025HouseTaken from General File.
5/19/2025HouseRead second time.
5/19/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass.
5/16/2025HouseFrom printer. To committee.
5/6/2025HouseRead first time. Referred to Committee on Government Affairs. To printer.
5/5/2025House
Bill Text
As Enrolled
As Introduced
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