Nevada Lawmakers Reject Film Projects, Pass Crime Bill with Caveats

Nevada’s recent special legislative session, a week-long whirlwind in Carson City, wrapped up with significant outcomes directly impacting our community. While a high-profile proposal to offer lucrative tax credits to film studios failed by a single vote, Governor Joe Lombardo’s broad crime legislation successfully made it to his desk, albeit with crucial amendments.

Lights, Camera, No Action: Film Tax Credits Fail

A union-backed initiative to establish a major film production facility in the Las Vegas suburbs, dubbed the “Summerlin Studios Project,” ultimately fell short. The plan aimed to offer $95 million in annual transferable tax credits to entertainment giants like Sony Pictures Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery for a complex featuring 10 movie stages, hotels, and a medical center.

A "Jobs Bill" or a Financial Folly?

Supporters championed the project as a vital "jobs bill" for Southern Nevada, estimating it would generate 19,000 construction jobs and 18,000 permanent positions. Local construction workers, some citing up to two years without major projects since the completion of destinations like the Fontainebleau and the Sphere, urged lawmakers to pass the bill, drawing comparisons to the employment boom of the Hoover Dam construction.

However, the proposal faced strong opposition over its financial viability. Opponents, including Assemblymember Selena La Rue Hatch, argued the state could ill afford the credits when legislative fiscal staff predict a deficit of up to $260 million by 2030. Critics also pointed out that attempts to sweeten the deal with "crumbs" for retired state employees’ medical expenses and pre-K programs for Vegas-area schools were insufficient, with one education advocate stating, "If Hollywood is the emergency, then Nevada leaders have lost the plot."

Governor’s Crime Bill Advances, But With Changes

While the film tax credit plan stumbled, Governor Lombardo’s flagship "Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act" passed the Legislature. This sweeping crime package seeks to increase penalties for a wide array of offenses, including smash-and-grab robberies, assault and battery against hospitality employees, and DUIs involving a death, aiming to enhance safety across the state.

Reviving the Resort Corridor Court: A Local Priority

A key component of the crime bill, particularly relevant to Las Vegas locals, is the revival of a specialized court program for the Strip. This court would handle minor criminal cases originating from the Resort Corridor and include orders banning repeat offenders from the area for a year. The resort industry and Nevada’s most powerful union strongly advocated for its return, arguing it’s essential for ensuring a safe environment for both tourists and hospitality workers, especially given recent dips in tourism.

Yet, the proposed court program sparked controversy. Public defenders, like Brennan Bartley, who represented clients in the former Resort Corridor Court, argued it disproportionately targeted homeless individuals who were not committing crimes, promising resources that often failed to materialize. Bartley labeled such programs "failed experiments that harm some of the most vulnerable among us."

Amendments Threaten Governor’s Signature

Despite its passage, the crime bill’s journey isn’t over. The Democratic-majority Senate introduced significant immigration-related amendments. These changes require detention facilities to maintain lists of individuals they hold and prohibit law enforcement, including immigration officers, from entering school grounds without a warrant or gathering student information. Governor Lombardo previously vetoed a similar bill, citing it as "fundamentally overbroad," which could jeopardize his signature on this version.

Key Legislative Outcomes At a Glance

What This Means for Governor Lombardo

The special session was intended to be an opportunity for Governor Lombardo, a former Clark County sheriff, to push through major policy priorities ahead of the 2026 election. The failure of the film tax credit proposal marks a notable setback for the Governor, who was expected to sign it into law. While his crime bill passed, the added immigration amendments put his signature in question, leaving his key legislative agenda less certain as he prepares for a potentially challenging re-election campaign.

FAQs About the Nevada Special Session

• What was the main outcome regarding movie projects in Nevada?
  A plan to offer $95 million in annual tax credits to lure major film studios to Las Vegas for a new production facility failed by one vote in the state Senate.
• Why did the film tax credit proposal face opposition?
  Opponents argued it didn’t make financial sense given projected state deficits and criticized the idea of subsidizing Hollywood when critical services like education needed funding.
• What is the "Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act"?
  It’s Governor Lombardo’s crime bill designed to increase penalties for various crimes, including smash-and-grabs and assaults on hospitality workers, and to revive a specialized court for the Las Vegas Strip.
• Will the Resort Corridor Court be revived?
  The provision to revive the court passed as part of the crime bill, but the entire bill still requires Governor Lombardo’s signature, which is uncertain due to other amendments.
• What happens next with the crime bill?
  The bill goes to Governor Lombardo’s desk. Given the immigration-related amendments, which he previously vetoed in a similar bill, there’s a possibility he might veto this version as well.

As these legislative outcomes unfold, staying informed about local policy decisions remains crucial for every Las Vegas resident, influencing everything from potential job opportunities to the ongoing debate over community safety and justice.

Nevada Rejects Film Tax Credits Passes Crime Law