Ask the Expert: Legislative Changes Make Deed Upon Death a More Attractive Estate Planning Tool

Highlights of the 2021 Nevada State Legislative Session

The 81st (2021) Session of the Nevada Legislature began February 1, and adjourned June 1. A total of 1,035 bills were proposed during the session, with less than a third making it to Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak’s desk for final approval.

Democrats Had the Numbers
The Democratic Party held a majority of the seats for both houses of the state Legislature. The Nevada House of Representatives consisted of 26 Democrats and 16 Republicans, while the Nevada State Senate was made up of 12 Democrats and nine Republicans. The most active sponsor for bills in the House was state Representative Selena Torres (D) with a total of 72 sponsored bills. In the Senate, state Senator Joseph Hardy (R) was responsible for 90 sponsored bills.

Committees
There are currently 21 state of Nevada committees that manage bills and legislation in their prospective, appointed domain subjects. Eleven of these are Senate committees, and 10 are state House committees. Each committee is formed with a specific area of governmental focus. See a list of committees below.

Controversial Bills Among Those That Failed
With only 322 of proposed bills passed, more than 700 sponsored bills failed to make it to the Governor’s office. Two such failed bills were Nevada Assembly Bill 395 and Nevada Senate Bill 452, both considered somewhat controversial. If passed, Nevada Assembly Bill 395 would have abolished the death penalty in the state of Nevada. While it did pass in the House with a 26-16 party-line vote, without Sisolak’s support, it lost momentum and died on the state Senate floor. Along the same lines, Nevada Senate Bill 452, which focused on prohibiting guns on casino property passed the state Senate but was not approved by the House.

Passage of Health-Related Bills
Though most proposed bills failed to move forward, some health-related bills did pass. This may be due, in part, to an increased focus on mental and physical health in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Under Nevada Senate Bill 390, a suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline will be created. Nevada Senate Bill 211 also passed, allowing patients easier access to testing for sexually transmitted diseases. Please reach out with questions regarding these bills or any of the other 320 bills passed this legislative session. We are well-versed on each bill passed, health-related and otherwise; and we are ready to provide legal advice, counsel, and representation on matters pertaining to these bills.

Questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us at 775-687-0202.

 
Works Cited:
2021 Nevada legislative session. Ballotpedia. (2021). https://ballotpedia.org/2021_Nevada_legislative_session.
Calderon, J., & Golonka, S. (2021, June 3). Nevada Legislature recap: Gun free casino zones, midwife license board among business-related bill casualties. Northern Nevada Business Weekly. https://www.nnbw.com/news/2021/jun/03/nevada-legislature-recap-gun-free-casino-zones-mid/.
Nevada Governor, Senate Leaders Block Death-Penalty Abolition Bill That Passed State Assembly. Death Penalty Information Center. (2021, May 19). https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/news/nevada-governor-senate-leaders-block-death-penalty-abolition-bill-that-passed-state-assembly.
Nevada State Legislative Dashboard. LegiScan. (2021). https://legiscan.com/NV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daniel Davis, Carson City School District

We are proud to support this effort. Read the article below for more information about the project.

Featured in Carson Now: Carson City Schools Foundation still

needs support for dual-enrollment program

The Carson City Schools Foundation, in support of the Carson City School District, still seeks community donors to match its efforts to ‘Sponsor a Student’ for the Western Nevada College Jump Start College program.

From now through June 30, 2021, the foundation continues to support and will match community sponsorships up to $6,250 total to help make up the cost of textbooks and materials for the up-coming school year.

The Foundation has raised nearly 65 percent of their goal but is still counting on community partners to help fill the need.

“We have had an impressive start to this funding campaign, but we are still in need,” said CCSF Board Member Mike Jackson, president and CEO of The Micromanipulator Company. “We have a very generous community here in Carson City, and I know there are many businesses and community partners that would be more than willing to assist the Carson City Schools Foundation in supporting this effort.”

The Jump Start College program is a dual-enrollment opportunity for high school students to experience college courses through WNC while simultaneously earning high school credits. Jump Start College participants are able to complete up to 60 college credits through WNC, often earning them an associate’s degree around the same time they earn their high school diploma. Earning an associate’s degree while simultaneously graduating from high school helps participants save nearly two years’ worth of money in college tuition.

The grant funding for the joint program with WNC was canceled earlier this year. The Carson City School District plans to continue to support the program through the Distributive Student Account (DSA) as part of its commitment to College and Career Ready curriculum, but this support did not include the cost of books and materials.

The approximate cost for Jump Start College materials for the projected enrollment of 125 students is expected to be $12,500 or $100 per student. The Foundation has committed funds for half of the amount and is looking for community support in donations to match their commitment. If the foundation exceeds the total amount needed for Jump Start, additional funds raised and donated by the community will be added to other grant programs including Department and Individual Student grants and the foundation’s popular Mini-Grant program, which supports teachers and staff with funding for creative, educational projects traditional funding sources may not reach.

To make a contribution to help ‘Sponsor a Student’ for the Jump Start College program, please click here. For more information about the Carson City School’s Foundation, visit ccschoolsfoundation.org.

CCSF is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting community involvement and investment in the public schools of Carson City. This project is one of the many results of the “Empower Carson City 2022″ Strategic Plan – a five-year strategic plan for extraordinary schools built by the community of Carson City.

CCSF was created to increase student achievement through philanthropic investment and involvement. Established by the Carson City School District’s Board of Trustees, the foundation promotes education programs that traditional funding sources may not be able to reach.

For more information about the CCSF, please visit ccschoolsfoundation.org. To make a contribution with your credit card, click here, or you may also donate by sending a check to the Carson City Schools Foundation at P.O. Box 92, Carson City, Nevada 89702. To view an informational video, please click here.

ABOUT Carson City School District
Located in Nevada’s capital, Carson City School District offers public education to approximately 7,800 students throughout Carson City. The district includes 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 alternative high school and 1 comprehensive high school. Carson City School District boasts many successes including impressive graduation rates, strict safety measures, programs for gifted students and advanced-placement classes, among several others. In a joint venture with Western Nevada College, the Carson City School District Jump Start College program allows students to complete their senior year of high school and freshman year of college simultaneously. For more information, visit carsoncityschools.com.

We are proud to help support this effort. Check out the article below.

https://carsonnow.org/story/06/14/2021/carson-city-schools-foundation-still-needs-support-dual-enrollment-jump-start-progr

We are honored to have been awarded the Nevada Business Award 2021 by Nevada Business Magazine in the “Other’s First, Philanthropy and Giving” category!

Allison MacKenzie
EST. 1968

Originally known as Laxalt, Berry and Allison, the law firm Allison MacKenzie was founded by George Allison, Peter Laxalt and Robert Berry. The firm has made a commitment to serving northern Nevada and its leadership believe their success is directly tied to the strength of the community. One of the firm’s founders, George Allison, said it best. “I believe we all have a responsibility to pay forward the fortune of our own lives. I don’t think you can really be successful if the community around you is not also successful,” he said.

Read More: https://www.nevadabusiness.com/…/nevada-business-awards/

Renewable energy is considered the key to the future by many scientists, national business leaders, and political officials. It is a fast-growing industry that is rapidly gaining interest and support across the country due to growing environmental concerns. This is especially true for the state of Nevada, where there is an abundance of renewable energy sources such as solar energy and geothermal energy. In the year of 2020, one-third of the electricity generated in Nevada came from renewable energy sources. Therefore, it is vital that Nevadans be aware of the new and current laws/systems that govern renewable energy for the state. The most important of these recent changes being Question #6, the Renewable Energy Standards Initiative (2020).

What is Question #6?

The biggest and most recent change to Nevada’s renewable energy policy is the passage of Question #6, the Renewable Energy Standards Initiative (2020). This amendment requires state utilities to have at least 50% of the energy that they supply to Nevada communities be sourced from renewable resources by the year 2030. It also clarifies what is considered a renewable energy source by Nevada law. For example, solar, geothermal, wind, biomass, and hydroelectric have all been labeled as renewable under the initiative.

How did it happen?

This change of energy policy was proposed in an effort to force Nevada to shift towards more sustainable energy, as constitutional amendments are more difficult to repeal and/or alter when compared to normal state law. The campaign for the ballot initiative began in 2018 and was filed by the political action committee Nevadans for Affordable, Clean Energy Choices. More than 230,000 signatures were part of this filing as of June 18, 2018. In July, Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske certified the filing and the measure was placed on the 2018 ballot. For a constitutional amendment to be ratified in the Nevada constitution, the amendment must be approved in two consecutive elections. The first approval occurred in 2018, with the initiative being fully passed on November 3rd, 2020.

What Are the Potential Impacts?

Since the amendment was very recently created, there is still much debate about the pros and cons of the government action. Those who are pro the amendment claim that it will reduce state government spending by cutting the state’s dependence on imported energy generated from fossil-fuels. Furthermore, they claim it will increase investments and create new jobs for the state economy. On the other side, those who are against the amendment claim that it will place extra burdens on Nevada taxpayers as the state may not be able to self-produce enough renewable energy by the deadline and therefore rely on importing expensive energy produced by other states through renewable sources.

Any sweeping government action, such as this initiative, will raise many questions and concerns for a variety of people and organizations. This will be especially true for entities that are part of the energy production and distribution systems in Nevada. If you have these questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact a representative of Allison MacKenzie. We will do our utmost to address your concerns.

Works Cited:

Alonzo, Amy. “Question 6: Increasing Nevada’s Reliance on Renewable Energy to 50 Percent by 2030.” Reno Gazette Journal, Reno Gazette Journal, 11 Oct. 2020, www.rgj.com/story/news/2020/10/11/nevada-question-6-would-increase-reliance-renewable-energy/5887968002/.
“Nevada – State Energy Profile Analysis.” U.S. Energy Information Administration – EIA – Independent Statistics and Analysis, U.S. Energy Information Administration, 18 Feb. 2021, www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=NV.
“Nevada Question 6, Renewable Energy Standards Initiative (2020).” Ballotpedia, ballotpedia.org/Nevada_Question_6,_Renewable_Energy_Standards_Initiative_(2020).
“Renewable Energy Explained.” U.S. Energy Information Administration – EIA – Independent Statistics and Analysis, U.S. Energy Information Administration, www.eia.gov/energyexplained/renewable-sources/.

Congratulations to Joel W. Locke on his appointment to the Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection. Read more below.

James Cavilia, Managing Partner of Carson City-based law firm Allison MacKenzie, announced March 24 that attorney Joel W. Locke has been appointed to the Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection.

The Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection is charged with filling judicial vacancies that occur before expiration of a term of office in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals or District Court.

One permanent member is appointed by the State Constitution, two permanent members are appointed by Governor, and three permanent members are appointed by the State Bar of Nevada. Locke was appointed by the State Bar of Nevada and will serve a four-year term, according to a press release.

Locke joined Allison MacKenzie in 2007 and practices in a variety of areas, including estate planning, probate, labor and employment and business law.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 2000. He obtained his law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2006. Locke serves on the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Nevada and is also a Judge Pro Tem for the Carson City Justice and Municipal Courts.

Emily Meibert was featured in the Alumni Spotlight for William S. Boyd School of Law. Read more below!

What have you been up to since you graduated?

After graduating, I moved back home to Reno and spent the first-year clerking in the First Judicial District Court for Judge James E. Wilson Jr. I have since been admitted to practice in both Nevada and California. This last September, I began practicing civil law in the Carson City/Reno area for Allison MacKenzie Ltd. I also have joined the young lawyers committee for Nevada Justice Association and began volunteering for the Northern Nevada Food Bank.

What do you enjoy in your off hours?

In my off hours I enjoy spending time with my family, boyfriend, and friends. Now that there is an end in sight regarding the pandemic, my family and I are getting back to our weekly Sunday night dinners. Also, a group of my friends and I have started doing our Wednesday trivia nights again. I am really looking forward to having a summer this year because I love playing softball or spending my weekends up at Lake Tahoe on a paddle board.

If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg aka The Notorious RBG. Aside from my grandpa, Justice Ginsburg is the closest thing I have to a superhero. In fact, I have an action figure of her in my office—a gift for passing the bar from fellow Boyd Alum, Elva Castañeda. I am so grateful to Justice Ginsburg for all the work she accomplished during her life and the impact she has made on the world.

Alumni Spotlight: Emily Meibert ’19

Our own Emily Meibert and Chelsea Bibb volunteered with the Nevada Justice Association at the Food Bank of Northern Nevada!

Congratulations to Victoria Mendoza, 2021’s Carson City Soroptimist highlights ‘Women Helping Women’ honoree! Read more about Victoria below. Allison MacKenzie is proud to sponsor Victoria and this honor.

Soroptimist International of Carson City is pleased to introduce our next 2021 “Women Helping Women” honoree Victoria Mendoza, who is among eight local women to be honored at our Feb. 18 virtual event.

Victoria is the Executive Director and Managing Attorney for Volunteer Attorneys for Rural Nevadans (VARN) and sponsored by our Partnership Sponsor, Allison MacKenzie, Ltd.

She has been practicing law in Nevada since 1978, and has been an attorney and the Pro Bono Coordinator at VARN since 2014. Victoria’s dedication to VARN’s mission of providing free civil legal services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in our rural counties is evident by your many years of service.

Her leadership in the effort to help the families, most of whom are women with children, has allowed the victims to escape the very difficult situations they face and pursue necessary family law matters.

Victoria has also been actively involved with other community efforts that aim to help women such as the Nevada’s Women Fund, Pack PAWS, Nevada Hispanic Services, and Step II. Thank you, Victoria for being such a committed partner in the efforts to improve the lives of women and girls in our community, by providing your time, expertise and compassion for thousands of women and children in our community.

Go here for the announcement of the eight women being recognized this year.

See the fifth person profiled, Suzanne Crawford, here. Go here for the fourth honoree profile of Jessica Weisser. Go here for the third honoree profile, Katie Leao Geiser. Go here for the second honoree profile of Tiffany Kenison. Go here for the first honoree profile of Lupe Ramirez.

Tickets for our Virtual “Celebrating Women Helping Women” Recognition Event can be purchased on our Club website here.

Local event attendees will receive our fun “Celebration Party Bags” to help make their at-home Celebration Watch Party festive and exciting. Join us as our community extends our appreciation and thanks to each of our Honorees for their dedication to improving the lives of women and girls.

 

 

Allison MacKenzie is proud to sponsor ‘Women Helping Women’, an honor by the Soroptimist International of Carson City. The organization is inviting businesses, nonprofits, and local agencies to sponsor a woman from their company or from the community as a “Women Helping Women” honoree in recognition of her dedication to improving the lives of women or girls.

Soroptimist International of Carson City is pleased to announce the “Women Helping Women” Honorees to be recognized for their dedication to improving the lives of women or girls in our community, at our Virtual “Celebrating Women Helping Women” Recognition Event, via Zoom, on February 18, 2021 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.

Photo Caption: Left to right; top row Dr. Betsy Card, Suzanne Crawford, Niki Gladys, Tiffany Kenison; bottom row, Katie Leao Geiser, Victoria S. Mendoza, Lupe Ramirez and Jessica Weisser.

Our “Celebrating Women Helping Women” Recognition Event is an opportunity for the community to recognize the Honorees who are sharing their time, expertise, compassion and motivation to help other women or girls. Our eight “Women Helping Women” Honorees are;

Dr. Betsy Card
Sponsored by Tahoe Carson Radiology

Suzanne Crawford
Victim/Witness Administrator for the Carson City District Attorney’s Office
Sponsored by Carson City District Attorney’s Office

Niki Gladys
Executive Director, Western Nevada College Foundation
Sponsored by Western Nevada College

Tiffany Kenison
Executive Director, Miss Carson City & Outstanding Teen Pageant
Sponsored by Griffin Development Services

Katie Leao Geiser
Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada
Sponsored by Lumos & Associates

Victoria S. Mendoza
Executive Director & Managing Attorney, Volunteer Attorneys for Rural Nevada (VARN)
Sponsored by Allison MacKenzie

Lupe Ramirez
Latino Outreach Coordinator, Western Nevada College
Sponsored by Greater Nevada Credit Union

Jessica Weisser
Youth Empowerment Coordinator, Xquisite
Sponsored by Xquisite

The Carson City community is invited to join us as we celebrate the many efforts of women in our community who are providing outstanding support, care, mentoring, and encouragement to other women or girls.

Attendance, via Zoom, at our Virtual “Celebrating Women Helping Women” Recognition Event is $25 for one login/attendee. Additional Household Attendee Packages are available for $15 for each additional person in your household who plans to attend.

Visit our Club website at www.sicarsoncity.org for more details and online purchase. Guests will enjoy a safe and fun night, as they plan their own Celebration Watch Party. All paying guests receive a special delivered “Celebration Party Bag” with fun goodies to enjoy during their at home party.

Guests will enjoy a presentation by our Keynote Speaker, Erika Lera, Family Advocate Supervisor at Ron Wood Family Resource Center and our 2020 Soroptimist Ruby Award Recipient. Then our 2021“Women Helping Women” Honorees will be recognized and share their thoughts on their work and the benefits of women helping women.

Closing out the event will be the presentation of our 2021 Soroptimist Ruby Award. Nominations for the Ruby Award are being accepted until January 29th. Learn more at our Club website www.sicarsoncity.org. There are also opportunities for program advertising in our event program.

Event registration will end on Monday, February 15, 2021, or sooner if the event sells out. Join us for this inspiring and empowering community recognition event.

Be sure to visit and follow Soroptimist International of Carson City on our Facebook page @SICarsonCity to learn more about our eight “Women Helping Women” Honorees over the next five weeks. Each Honoree will be highlighted so that we can share her efforts to improve the lives of women and/or girls in our community.

Soroptimist International of Carson City is a volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.

Founded in 1957, the Carson City club is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas where almost 160,000 Soroptimists in 21 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community-based projects that benefit women.

Internationally, there are clubs in more than 120 countries throughout the world. For membership information please email [email protected] .