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Howard Watts — Democratic State Assemblymember for Nevada District 15 (official headshot)

Howard Watts Voting Record & Scorecard | National Democrat Platform

NV Assemblymember

District: 15 • Democrat

2025 DEM Alignment:

13.46%

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Voting Alignment with DEM Platform – by Chapter

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Asm. Howard Watts (D-NV-15) earned a 13% National Democrat Platform score for 2025, showing minimal alignment with Democratic Party Platform principles. Howard Watts voted on 52 of the 52 substantive bills scored by Dem Platform in 2025. Howard Watts represents the 15th District in the Nevada State Assembly.

Title

Lawmaker Position

AB 105Assembly 20251x

Weakening Self-Defense and Second Amendment Rights by Restricting Firearm Possession Near Election Sites.

Against DEMs
This bill prohibits most individuals from possessing a firearm in or within 100 feet of an entrance to an election site and creates new criminal penalties for violations, including felony charges if the firearm is possessed with intent related to election activity. The measure establishes broad firearm-free zones around polling places and ballot drop locations, requires government-posted warning signage, and expands state enforcement authority over otherwise lawful conduct. By extending firearm prohibitions into public spaces surrounding election sites and criminalizing lawful possession based on proximity, the bill expands government power and restricts constitutional rights beyond what is necessary to ensure election security. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as "gun free zones" do not protect communities, rather they place individuals in defenseless positions against criminals who do not abide by the law.
AB 121Assembly 20251x

Growing Government Interference in Private Rental Agreements and Payment Practices Through New Mandates.

Against DEMs
This bill imposes new requirements on landlords governing how rent and fees must be disclosed, collected, and paid, including mandating at least one fee-free payment method, capping online payment fees, restricting application and screening fees, and requiring rent to be advertised and stated as a single bundled amount that includes mandatory charges. The measure also authorizes tenants to bring civil actions for certain violations and mandates refunds and statutory damages, while prescribing detailed formatting and disclosure rules for rental agreements. As a result, the bill expands state regulation of private rental contracts and payment practices, increases litigation exposure for property owners, and substitutes government mandates for voluntary, negotiated terms in the housing market. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill imposes mandates, enforcement mechanisms, and civil liability that increase government involvement in private rental agreements and reduce flexibility for property owners and tenants.
AB 15Assembly 20251x

Strengthening Medicaid Oversight and Accountability by Expanding the Attorney General''s Authority to Investigate Fraud.

With DEMs
This bill expands the authority of the Attorney General''s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit by allowing subpoenas to compel sworn testimony and written interrogatories, in addition to documents and records, during civil Medicaid fraud investigations. The measure also clarifies enforcement procedures for subpoenas through the courts and aligns state false claims provisions more closely with federal standards, improving coordination and effectiveness in fraud enforcement. By enhancing investigative tools and clarifying enforcement authority, the bill strengthens the state''s ability to detect, investigate, and deter Medicaid fraud, protecting taxpayer resources and promoting accountability in public assistance programs. Support is the Limited Government Position as effective enforcement against fraud protects taxpayers, preserves program integrity, and ensures public resources are not diverted through abuse or deception.
AB 155Assembly 20251x

Hiking Taxpayer Costs by Expanding Public School Collective Bargaining to Include Classroom Staffing Ratios.

Against DEMs
This bill revises the state''s collective bargaining law to make pupil-to-teacher ratios and pupil-to-specialized instructional support personnel ratios mandatory subjects of collective bargaining in public schools. Under current law, staffing levels and ratios are largely reserved to school district management and guided by nonbinding recommendations from the State Board of Education, but this measure allows collectively bargained agreements to override those recommendations and removes staffing decisions from administrative discretion. Allowing staffing ratios to be set through collective bargaining agreements transfers core operational authority from elected school boards to labor negotiations and limits flexibility for districts to respond to budget constraints, enrollment changes, and local needs. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill expands the scope of collective bargaining into fundamental management decisions, reducing accountability and limiting the ability of school districts to govern staffing based on local conditions and fiscal responsibility.
AB 185Assembly 20251x

Weakening Private Property Rights by Requiring HOAs to Allow Child Care Operations in Residential Properties.

Against DEMs
This bill prohibits unit-owners'' associations in most common-interest communities from banning the operation of certain licensed child care facilities within a unit, even if existing governing documents would otherwise restrict such uses. The measure also authorizes tenants, unless expressly prohibited by a rental agreement, to operate a licensed child care facility serving between 5 and 12 children from their dwelling unit, while limiting the ability of associations to regulate these uses beyond narrow, state-defined conditions. Restricting the ability of HOAs and landlords to establish and enforce their own rules infringes on private property rights, weakens freedom of contract, and expands state intervention into private residential governance. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is not the role of government to dictate the private contractual agreements and operations of HOAs. HOAs serve as free-market alternatives to government zoning and land use standards, as individuals can choose the restrictiveness of the community they wish to join or select to live on property outside the governance of an HOA.
AB 197Assembly 20251x

Protecting Privacy and Free Association by Limiting Government Collection and Disclosure of Nonprofit Donor Information.

With DEMs
This bill requires personal information that identifies donors, members, or volunteers of nonprofit organizations to be kept confidential by government entities and prohibits the government from requesting, collecting, or publicly disclosing such information, with limited exceptions. The measure also restricts the Secretary of State and Attorney General from collecting or using donor-identifying information beyond narrow, authorized purposes and provides a civil cause of action when the government unlawfully releases protected information. By limiting government surveillance, data collection, and disclosure of nonprofit affiliations, the bill safeguards privacy, free association, and religious and civic participation while restraining unnecessary government intrusion into the activities of private organizations. Support is the Limited Government Position as the bill curtails government overreach, protects individual privacy, and prevents the misuse of sensitive personal information by state actors.
AB 201Assembly 20251x

Reducing Transparency and Public Accountability by Automatically Sealing Eviction and Lockout Court Records.

Against DEMs
This bill significantly expands the automatic sealing of eviction case court files by requiring records to be sealed in additional circumstances, including when a landlord fails to respond to a tenant''s motion, when certain appeals are resolved, or when time has elapsed after an eviction order, while also creating a presumption in favor of sealing cases more than one year old. The measure further requires the automatic sealing of court records related to unjustified lockouts once appeals are resolved, and deems sealed proceedings to have "never occurred" for all purposes. Restricting landlord access to accurate housing history information drives-up rental costs for everyone by exposing landlords to additional risk and expense. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as automatic and presumptive sealing of court records undermines transparency, restricts public access to judicial information, and interferes with the fair functioning of housing and rental markets.
AB 204Assembly 20251x

Growing Government Overreach Through New Restrictions on Medical Debt Collection.

Against DEMs
This bill imposes extensive new restrictions on how health care entities and collection agencies may collect medical debt, including prohibitions on liens against primary residences, bank account seizures, tax refund garnishments, and the use of credit reporting, while delaying or barring collection actions for lengthy periods. The measure also creates detailed notice requirements, tolls statutes of limitation during emergencies, mandates refunds, and prohibits the waiver of these protections, significantly altering the legal rights of creditors and collectors. Expanding blanket prohibitions, procedural mandates, and enforcement limits on lawful debt collection shifts private financial disputes into heavily regulated state control and undermines contract enforcement and accountability in health care markets. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as, instead of weaponizing government, lawmakers should work to reduce regulations to provide greater access to healthcare and drive down costs for patients.
AB 205Assembly 20251x

Weakening Parental Rights in Education by Shifting to an Automatic Opt-In for Sex Education Instruction.

Against DEMs
This bill replaces the existing "opt-in" model of parental consent for sex education in public schools with an "opt-out" model. Previously, parental consent was required for a student to receive sex education instruction. Under this bill, parental consent is no longer required, and parents must instead opt out if they do not want their child to receive such instruction. Rather than requiring affirmative parental consent before a student may participate, the measure presumes participation unless a parent or guardian submits a written refusal, fundamentally changing the default standard. This change weakens parental authority by expanding state influence over family decisions and eroding protections that ensure parents retain primary responsibility for their child''s education. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as strong parental rights in their child''s education are a critical element of a free society. Children should not be subjected to sensitive topics without the consent of parents.
AB 217Assembly 20251x

Weakening Immigration Enforcement by Creating Sanctuaries in Public Schools.

Against DEMs
This bill prohibits school districts, public schools, and their employees from allowing federal immigration officials access to school grounds or facilities, or from providing student education records or information about a pupil or the pupil''s family, unless presented with a lawful court order or warrant. The measure extends these restrictions to state and local law enforcement officers engaged in immigration enforcement and subjects school employees to disciplinary action for noncompliance. Restricting cooperation with lawful immigration enforcement within public schools places institutional barriers between government agencies, elevates school administrators'' discretion over the rule of law, and expands state-imposed limitations that interfere with lawful enforcement responsibilities. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as ensuring public safety and national defense is arguably the most important role of government. Failure to secure our nation''s border and deport those residing in the country unlawfully not only has catastrophic implications on the ability to maintain law and order, but also creates countless other issues, ranging from welfare to the education system.
AB 235Assembly 20251x

Promoting Abortion and Sex-Reassignment Procedures by Expanding Confidentiality Protections for Providers.

Against DEMs
This bill authorizes health care providers who practice in reproductive health, employees or volunteers of facilities providing reproductive health services, providers of gender-affirming care, and their immediate family members to obtain court orders requiring county recorders, assessors, elections officials, and the Department of Motor Vehicles to keep personal information confidential or display alternate addresses on official records. The measure significantly expands existing confidentiality programs beyond judges, law enforcement, and other public safety officials to include broad categories of private health care providers and related individuals based on the type of medical services provided. Granting special privacy protections to select professions based on state-favored activities expands government involvement in public records administration and creates unequal treatment under the law by carving out broad exceptions from transparency requirements. Oppose.
AB 244Assembly 20251x

Hiking Consumer Costs Through an Overreaching Ban on Polystyrene Food Containers.

Against DEMs
This bill prohibits food dispensing establishments from selling, preparing, providing, or transporting food or beverages using disposable food containers made wholly or partially from polystyrene foam, with the ban applying first to certain multi-location businesses and later expanding to all food establishments statewide. The measure enforces compliance through civil penalties of up to $100 per day and requires businesses to transition away from a common, low-cost packaging material regardless of individual operational needs or consumer preferences. Mandating a statewide ban on specific food packaging materials and enforcing it through civil penalties expands government regulation of private business operations and limits market-driven choices in the food service industry and drives up costs for businesses, which are then passed onto consumers in the form of higher prices. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill serves as yet another mandate which infringes business and consumer choice for food packaging and unnecessarily drives up cost.
AB 245Assembly 20251x

Weakening Individual Liberties and Infringing Second Amendment Rights by Increasing the Age to Possess Certain Firearms to 21.

Against DEMs
This bill prohibits adults under the age of 21 from possessing semiautomatic shotguns and semiautomatic centerfire rifles, criminalizes the sale or transfer of those firearms to individuals under 21, and imposes new criminal penalties on parents or other adults who allow such possession under specified circumstances. The measure also expands negligent storage laws, restricts longstanding hunting and sporting exceptions for minors, and increases felony exposure tied to firearm access based solely on age rather than conduct. Expanding age-based prohibitions and criminal penalties for lawful firearm possession places broad state restrictions on constitutional rights, substitutes blanket mandates for individual responsibility, and increases government control over lawful firearm ownership and family decisions. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as James Madison and our nation''s other founding fathers understood that the right to keep and bear arms is a crucial individual liberty and protects the citizenry against a tyrannical government. The state should not infringe the individual liberties of adults who at age 18 can fight for our country, vote, and enter into legally binding contracts.
AB 259Assembly 20251x

Expanding Healthcare Regulation by Imposing Price Controls on Prescription Drug Purchasing and Reimbursement.

Against DEMs
This bill prohibits purchasers and payers in Nevada from paying or seeking reimbursement for certain prescription drugs at prices above the federally determined "maximum fair price" and treats violations as deceptive trade practices subject to civil enforcement and private lawsuits. The measure effectively imports federal price-setting into state law and authorizes state enforcement actions and consumer fraud claims against entities that deviate from government-imposed pricing thresholds. By enforcing price controls through state law and expanding civil liability tied to federally set drug prices, the bill increases government intervention in pharmaceutical markets and private contracts, distorting pricing decisions and expanding regulatory and litigation exposure rather than relying on competitive market forces. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as government-imposed price controls and expanded civil enforcement interfere with market pricing, increase regulatory risk, and expand state involvement in private health care transactions.
AB 306Assembly 20251x

Weakening Election Integrity by Expanding Opportunities for Fraud Through Ballot Harvesting Outside Traditional Voting Periods.

Against DEMs
This bill requires county clerks in certain counties to establish additional mail ballot drop box locations during the period between the end of early voting and election day and authorizes third parties, under specified circumstances, to return mail ballots on behalf of voters at those locations. By mandating additional drop box location and expanding third-party ballot return, the bill weakens the integrity of the voting process by expanding opportunities for fraud. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as maintaining strong safeguards against voter fraud is a critical aspect of ensuring free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation''s constitutional republic.
AB 343Assembly 20251x

Expanding Healthcare Regulation Through Hospital Price Transparency Mandates and Restrictions on the Collection of Medical Debt.

Against DEMs
This bill requires hospitals to publish extensive pricing information for goods and services, maintain online price-estimator tools or detailed lists of shoppable services, and annually report facility fee data to the state, while conditioning compliance on licensure and ongoing regulatory oversight. The measure also prohibits hospitals from collecting medical debt accrued during periods of noncompliance, authorizes investigations, administrative penalties, public disclosure of violations, and grants patients new rights to cancel debt and seek refunds through state enforcement mechanisms. By layering expansive reporting mandates, enforcement authority, and debt-collection restrictions onto hospitals through state law, the bill increases regulatory control and administrative penalties in health care markets rather than allowing transparency efforts to evolve through voluntary compliance and market-driven accountability. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill expands regulatory mandates, enforcement powers, and penalties that increase government control over hospitals and private financial arrangements.
AB 38Assembly 20251x

Driving Up Housing Costs by Expanding State Regulation of Manufactured Housing and Mobile Home Markets.

Against DEMs
This bill amends state law governing manufactured homes, mobile homes, manufactured buildings, commercial coaches, and factory-built housing by expanding licensing requirements, enforcement powers, inspection authority, reporting mandates, and civil and criminal penalties administered by the Housing Division. The measure broadens investigative authority, increases confidentiality of enforcement records, expands eligibility for claims against licensees, and imposes new compliance obligations on dealers, landlords, manufacturers, and park owners, while preempting local discretion in multiple areas of housing regulation. As a result, the bill significantly enlarges the scope of state oversight, enforcement, and administrative control over manufactured housing transactions and operations, increasing regulatory burdens and government involvement in housing markets rather than relying on clear, limited, and targeted regulation. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill substantially expands regulatory authority, enforcement mechanisms, and compliance mandates that increase state control over housing markets and private property arrangements.
AB 388Assembly 20251x

Hiking Employment Costs by Mandating Expansive Paid Family Leave Benefits for Public and Private Employers.

Against DEMs
This bill expands paid family leave requirements by increasing the duration of leave from 8 to 12 weeks, reducing employee eligibility thresholds to as little as 90 days, and extending paid family leave mandates to private employers and local governments with 50 or more employees. The measure broadens the qualifying reasons for leave, requires employers to pay up to 100 percent of wages for many employees while on leave, and authorizes extensive rulemaking, enforcement, civil liability, and penalties administered by state agencies. Mandating longer, more costly paid leave benefits and expanding enforcement and litigation authority significantly increases government control over workplace policies, raises labor costs, and limits flexibility for employers to manage staffing and compensation decisions. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill imposes one-size-fits-all mandates, expands government regulation of private employment relationships, and increases costs and liability for employers.
AB 396Assembly 20251x

Strengthening Property Rights by Requiring Localities to Allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

With DEMs
This bill requires certain counties and cities to adopt ordinances authorizing accessory dwelling units on residential property and provides that if a local government fails to act by July 1, 2026, accessory dwelling units are automatically authorized on any parcel zoned for residential use. The measure limits the ability of local governments and common-interest communities to block or excessively condition accessory dwelling units through zoning restrictions, discretionary approvals, or private governance barriers. Preventing local prohibitions and automatic bans on accessory dwelling units expands property owners'' rights, increases housing supply through incremental development, and limits local government overreach that restricts lawful residential use. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill strengthens both property rights and helps combat overreaching zoning and land use ordinances. While some may argue this bill undermines "local control", our founding fathers only recognized three entities within the U.S. Constitution - federal government, state government, and the individual. It is not the role for any level of government to unduly infringe the rights of individuals, therefore making preemption measures, such as this bill, necessary.
AB 411Assembly 20251x

Shielding Prescribing Practitioners from Accountability by Allowing Anonymous Labeling of Abortion-Inducing Drugs.

Against DEMs
This bill allows prescriptions for mifepristone, misoprostol, or their generic alternatives to list the name of the prescribing healthcare practice on the drug label instead of the name of the healthcare provider prescribing the drug. By permitting anonymity for prescribers of abortion-inducing drugs, the bill reduces professional accountability and weakens oversight and responsibility in medical practice. Oppose.
AB 434Assembly 20251x

Expanding Government Interference in Private Employment by Banning Mandatory Meetings on Religious or Political Matters.

Against DEMs
This bill makes it unlawful for an employer to take or threaten adverse employment action against an employee who declines to attend a meeting or participate in a communication where the primary purpose is to convey the employer''s views on religious or political matters. The measure creates a new private cause of action allowing employees to recover damages, punitive damages, lost wages, and attorney''s fees, subject to limited exceptions, and places enforcement decisions in the hands of courts rather than employers. Prohibiting employers from requiring attendance at certain workplace communications and exposing them to expanded civil liability places government limits on employer speech and management authority, increasing litigation risk and state involvement in internal workplace decisions. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill expands government regulation of private workplace communications, restricts free expression, and increases litigation and state oversight of employer-employee relationships.
AB 44Assembly 20251x

Growing Government Interference in the Free Market by Expanding Draconian Prohibitions on Price Gouging to "Essential Goods or Services".

Against DEMs
This bill amends the state''s Unfair Trade Practice Act to classify "manipulating the price of an essential good or service" as an unlawful restraint of trade, subject to felony penalties and state enforcement. The measure defines essential goods and services to include categories such as food, energy, housing, medical products, utilities, transportation, and internet access, and ties criminal liability to price increases that, in part, do "not reflect basic forces of supply and demand" and exceed state-determined benchmarks, rather than clear evidence of collusion or traditional price fixing. As a result, the bill risks punishing lawful business behavior that reflects supply, demand, and economic conditions rather than deceptive or anti-competitive intent. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as criminalizing price movements and expanding state price-setting authority interferes with free markets, increases regulatory risk, and places government judgment over voluntary economic activity.
AB 445Assembly 20251x

Undermining Parental Rights by Granting Broad Legal Immunity to Library Staff for Providing Access to Materials to Minors.

Against DEMs
This bill provided school and public library staff with immunity from criminal or civil liability for "good faith" acts related to providing access to, or assisting minors and patrons in accessing, library materials. The measure broadly defines "library materials" and removes legal accountability for decisions about what content is made available to children, regardless of parental concerns. By shielding government employees from liability, the bill limits parents'' ability to seek recourse and elevates the judgment of state actors over families, weakening transparency, accountability, and parental oversight in public institutions. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as parents, not government employees, should retain primary authority over what materials their children are exposed to, and broad immunity provisions reduce accountability within public institutions.
AB 458Assembly 20251x

Expanding Corporate Welfare Through Mandates and Subsidies for Solar-Powered Affordable Housing.

Against DEMs
This bill authorizes users of solar-powered affordable housing systems to participate in net metering, exempts certain system owners from public utility regulations, and imposes extensive new requirements on utilities, landlords, contractors, and state agencies related to solar installation, billing, tariffs, and consumer protections. The measure restructures how electricity is generated, credited, and regulated within multifamily affordable housing by tying participation to state-defined programs, compliance standards, and administrative oversight. While framed as expanding access to renewable energy and lowering costs for low-income residents, the bill relies on regulatory expansion, preferential treatment, and government-directed energy policies that increase state control over energy and housing markets rather than allowing voluntary, market-driven solutions. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill expands government mandates, subsidies, and regulatory authority in the energy sector, crowding out private solutions and increasing state involvement in housing and utility markets.
AB 471Assembly 20251x

Expanding State Taxation and Regulatory Control over Remote Sales of Tobacco Products.

Against DEMs
This bill imposes a new excise tax framework on the remote sale of cigars and pipe tobacco by requiring out-of-state and online sellers to calculate and remit taxes based on the actual cost of products sold to Nevada consumers, subject to specified sales thresholds. The measure also creates a new licensing regime for remote retail sellers, mandates monthly reporting and extensive recordkeeping, imposes bonding and age-verification requirements, and authorizes significant civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance, along with new appropriations to expand enforcement capacity. Expanding taxation, licensing, and enforcement authority over remote sellers increases regulatory burdens, raises consumer costs, and extends state control over interstate commerce and private business activity beyond traditional in-state retail regulation. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill expands state taxation and regulatory mandates, increases compliance costs for businesses and consumers, and broadens government involvement in private commerce.
AB 480Assembly 20251x

Driving Up Housing Costs by Eliminating the Requirement of Intent for Discrimination Liability.

Against DEMs
This bill revises the state''s Fair Housing Law to allow liability for housing discrimination not only when a practice is intentionally discriminatory, but also when a neutral policy has a disparate impact or discriminatory effect on a protected class, regardless of intent. Expanding liability based on disparate impact increases legal uncertainty, invites litigation, and places government judgment over routine housing and business decisions, discouraging investment and limiting flexibility in housing markets. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill drives-up housing costs for everyone by exposing property owners to additional risk.
AB 483Assembly 20251x

Providing Unequal Treatment in Healthcare Licensure by Prioritizing Applicants in "Historically Underserved Communities".

Against DEMs
This bill requires state and local health authorities and professional licensing boards to establish a process that prioritizes the review of initial licensure applications for health care providers who commit to practicing primarily in statutorily defined "historically underserved communities." The measure defines those communities using census tracts, tribal lands, high-poverty schools, and language metrics, and directs agencies to reorder licensure review based on where an applicant intends to practice rather than applying a uniform process to all applicants. Prioritizing licensure applications based on geographic location treats similarly qualified applicants differently under state law and expands administrative discretion in licensing decisions, undermining fairness, uniformity, and equal treatment across the state. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as, while most government licensing entities are overly restrictive and should be eliminated entirely, licensure standards and processes that are in place should be applied uniformly, without government preference or unequal treatment based on location or policy goals.
AB 523Assembly 20251x

Maintaining Low Prices by Reducing Regulatory Burdens on Transportation and Delivery Network Companies.

With DEMs
This bill lowers the minimum insurance coverage requirements for transportation network companies, drivers, and monitored autonomous vehicle providers from $1.5 million to $1 million while services are being provided. The measure also defines delivery network companies and clarifies that transportation and delivery network companies are not vicariously liable for the acts or omissions of independent drivers, provided specified insurance requirements are met. Clarifying liability standards and reducing excessive insurance mandates limits regulatory overreach, lowers operational costs, and preserves independent contractor relationships without expanding government control over private business models. Support is the Limited Government Position as the bill reduces unnecessary regulatory burdens, clarifies legal responsibility, and promotes efficient, market-driven transportation and delivery services.
AB 533Assembly 20251x

Expanding School Choice Through Public School Open Enrollment.

With DEMs
This bill allows pupils to attend a public school outside their assigned zone of attendance if capacity is available and requires school districts and the state to implement new policies, reporting requirements, and oversight related to open enrollment. The measure also directs the Department of Education to establish a grant program to help fund transportation for certain students who transfer out of underperforming schools when their district elects not to provide transportation. By expanding school choice through relaxed attendance boundaries while simultaneously increasing state mandates, regulatory oversight, and taxpayer-funded transportation subsidies, the bill advances parental flexibility but does so by growing government involvement rather than relying on market-driven solutions. Support is the Limited Government Position as, while this bill contains a negative provision increasing state spending on subsidies for student transportation, the bill increases the ability of families to choose higher-performing public schools.
AB 540Assembly 20251x

Growing Government Dependency and Further Indebting Taxpayers Through Up to $180 Million for a New Housing Assistance Program.

Against DEMs
This bill creates a new Nevada Attainable Housing Account and authorizes the state to appropriate and distribute a significant amount of taxpayer funding for housing-related programs, including grants, loans, rebates, rental assistance, land acquisition, and infrastructure financing. The measure appropriates $133 million in state funds to the new account and authorizes the issuance of up to $50 million in general obligation bonds (debt). It further establishes new councils, reporting requirements, expedited local processes, and regulatory exemptions that centralize housing policy decisions within state agencies. By committing up to $180 million in appropriations and bonded debt to government-managed housing initiatives, the bill expands state intervention in the housing market, shifts risk from private developers to taxpayers, and substitutes government planning for market-driven solutions. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill significantly increases government spending, debt, and administrative control over housing markets rather than addressing affordability through deregulation and private-sector innovation.
AB 597Assembly 20251x

Weakening Election Integrity by Allowing Non-Affiliated Voters to Engage in Rigging Party Primaries.

Against DEMs
This bill allows registered voters who are not affiliated with a political party to vote in a major political party''s primary election by requesting and casting a partisan ballot without formally joining that party. The measure removes existing safeguards that prevent nonpartisan voters from influencing partisan nomination processes and requires election officials to issue and count partisan ballots for voters who have declined party affiliation. While framed as expanding voter access and participation, the bill weakens the associational rights of political parties and undermines the purpose of partisan primaries by enabling individuals who intentionally vote in a party''s primary so that a less viable or principled candidate is nominated. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as members of each political party should be able to nominate their preferred candidate without interference from political operatives in an opposing party.
SB 128Assembly 20251x

Expanding Health Insurance Regulations by Restricting the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Prior Authorization Decisions.

Against DEMs
This bill restricts health insurers, public employee plans, and certain self-insured government plans from relying solely on artificial intelligence or automated decision tools to deny, modify, or reduce coverage through the prior authorization process and requires approval of covered care unless a licensed health care professional determines the care is not medically necessary or is experimental. The measure also extends these requirements to public employee benefit plans and embeds new statutory standards governing how insurers must evaluate and respond to authorization requests. By prohibiting insurers from using automated tools for cost and coverage determinations and mandating specific approval standards, the bill increases state control over private insurance decision-making and limits flexibility in managing health care costs and utilization. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill expands regulatory mandates on private insurers, interferes with market-based health care management, and increases government involvement in medical and insurance decisions.
SB 132Assembly 20251x

Worsening Cronyism and Corporate Welfare by Expanding Energy Subsidies Through the Clean Energy Fund.

Against DEMs
This bill appropriates $500,000 from the State General Fund to the Nevada Clean Energy Fund to secure and implement grants for qualified clean energy projects, including funding for project subsidies, technical assistance to government agencies, and administrative staffing. By using public funds to subsidize and administer clean energy initiatives, the bill distorts market signals, grows government spending, and shifts financial risk from private actors to taxpayers. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as government should not pick winners and losers in the energy market or use taxpayer dollars to subsidize private or quasi-private energy projects.
SB 138Assembly 20251x

Expanding Healthcare Regulation Through Hospital Mandates and State-Directed Medicaid Enrollment.

Against DEMs
This bill requires hospitals that provide birthing services to enroll as qualified providers to determine presumptive Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women or contract with approved entities to make those determinations, while also mandating notices about Medicaid and other public benefits. The measure further conditions hospital licensure on compliance with new statutory requirements and establishes an extensive list of enforceable rights for parents and legal guardians of newborns in neonatal intensive care units. By imposing new enrollment duties, benefit notifications, and licensure-backed mandates on hospitals, the bill expands state-directed administration of Medicaid and health care services and increases regulatory control over medical providers rather than relying on voluntary participation and patient-driven decision-making. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill increases regulatory burdens on hospitals and expands state involvement in health care and Medicaid enrollment beyond core functions.
SB 155Assembly 20251x

Weakening Public Safety by Allowing Non-Citizens to Serve in Law Enforcement.

Against DEMs
This bill allows individuals who are not citizens of the United States, but who are legally authorized to work under federal law and have prior experience as peace officers in another state, to be employed as peace officers in Nevada. The measure also prohibits the Peace Officers'' Standards and Training Commission from requiring U.S. citizenship for certification and voids any existing regulations that impose such a requirement. Expanding eligibility for peace officers beyond citizens weakens longstanding standards for public authority and trust while restricting the ability of the state and local agencies to set higher qualifications for those entrusted with enforcing the law. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as ensuring public safety is arguably one of the most important roles of government. Service in law enforcement means upholding and enforcing the laws of the nation; non-citizens have not made the necessary oaths to support and defend the Constitution or their allegiance to the United States.
SB 161Assembly 20251x

Expanding Teacher Union Power by Weakening Limits on Strikes and Imposing Binding Arbitration on School Districts.

Against DEMs
This bill creates new pathways for binding arbitration in teacher collective bargaining disputes, restricts school districts from requesting additional work time from teachers after a contract expires, and substantially revises Nevada law governing strikes by teachers. The measure shields individual teachers from penalties for participating in illegal strikes, narrows the definition of what constitutes a strike unless it occurs districtwide, and removes long-standing requirements that teacher unions pledge not to strike as a condition of recognition. Expanding binding arbitration and reducing consequences for strike activity shifts leverage away from elected school boards, weakens accountability, and increases union power over education policy, staffing, and fiscal decisions at the expense of taxpayers and students. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill undermines local control, weakens safeguards against public-sector strikes, and expands compulsory arbitration that limits fiscal discipline and democratic accountability.
SB 166Assembly 20251x

Growing Government Overreach Through Insurance and Housing Mandates on Pet Ownership.

Against DEMs
This bill broadens existing restrictions on insurers by prohibiting them from refusing coverage, canceling policies, or increasing premiums based on the breed or mix of breeds of a dog, including for multifamily residential properties and umbrella policies, unless the dog is individually deemed dangerous or vicious. The measure also requires recipients of state supportive housing grants to allow tenants to keep at least one pet as a condition of receiving public funds, regardless of property-specific considerations. Expanding state-imposed limits on insurance underwriting and conditioning housing grants on mandatory pet policies increases government control over private risk assessment and housing management decisions while reducing flexibility for insurers and property owners. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill restricts private underwriting discretion and imposes uniform state mandates on housing providers, increasing government involvement in insurance markets and property management.
SB 171Assembly 20251x

Establishing a "Sanctuary State" for Transgender Procedures on Minors.

Against DEMs
This bill establishes Nevada as a sanctuary state for "gender-affirming health care services" by prohibiting healthcare licensing boards from disciplining or disqualifying providers for delivering or assisting with medically necessary gender-affirming health care services that are lawful in the State, even when those services are the subject of legal action or professional discipline in another jurisdiction. The measure also limits cooperation with other states seeking to enforce laws by restricting the Governor''s extradition authority, prohibiting state agencies from cooperating with certain out-of-state investigations or proceedings, and directing licensing boards to examine reciprocal licensure to attract out-of-state providers for these services. Limiting licensure oversight, restricting intergovernmental cooperation, and insulating specific medical practices from accountability expands state intervention and preemption in health care regulation while weakening transparency, uniform enforcement, and the proper balance of authority. Oppose.
SB 182Assembly 20251x

Expanding Government Control over Hospitals Through Mandated Staffing Ratios and Enforcement Regimes.

Against DEMs
This bill imposes extensive new staffing mandates on hospitals in large counties by requiring the creation of multiple staffing committees, prescribing detailed nurse-to-patient and assistant staffing ratios, and mandating extensive recordkeeping, reporting, and compliance measures as conditions of licensure. The measure authorizes state agencies to conduct random inspections, investigate complaints, impose significant administrative penalties, and publicly rate hospitals based on staffing compliance, while restricting operational flexibility even during workforce shortages. By replacing hospital-level decision-making with rigid, state-imposed staffing formulas and aggressive enforcement mechanisms, the bill expands regulatory control over health care delivery and increases government intervention in hospital management rather than allowing providers to adapt staffing based on patient needs and available resources. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill mandates inflexible staffing requirements, expands bureaucratic oversight, and increases state control over private and nonprofit health care providers.
SB 198Assembly 20251x

Reducing Employment Benefits by Expanding Employer Liability and Penalties Through Restructured Wage and Compensation Payment Requirements.

Against DEMs
This bill revises state law governing the payment of wages and compensation when an employee resigns, quits, is discharged, or is placed on nonworking status by redefining "compensation" to include bonuses, profit-sharing arrangements, fringe benefits, and employer contributions to retirement plans. The measure changes existing payment timelines for compensation and replaces the current penalty structure for late payments with a new formula that imposes daily penalties at 1.5 times an employee''s hourly wage, along with additional compensation-based penalties, for up to 30 days. Expanding penalty exposure and redefining compensation to trigger automatic and compounding liabilities increases litigation risk, raises compliance costs for employers, and places rigid state mandates over private employment and compensation arrangements. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill significantly increases penalties and employer liability, expanding government control over private employment relationships and compensation practices. As a result, employers are less likely to offer fringe benefits due to the increased potential liability.
SB 201Assembly 20251x

Weakening Private Property Rights by Prohibiting HOAs and Landlords from Restricting Religious or Cultural Displays.

Against DEMs
This bill prohibits unit-owners'' associations, landlords, and unit owners who rent or lease their property from restricting the display of religious or cultural items within a unit or dwelling, subject only to limited state-defined exceptions related to size, placement, and safety. The measure overrides existing governing documents, rental agreements, and community rules by voiding and preempting provisions that conflict with the new state mandate, regardless of whether those rules were voluntarily agreed upon. Restricting the ability of HOAs and landlords to establish and enforce their own rules infringes on private property rights, weakens freedom of contract, and expands state intervention into private residential governance. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is not the role of government to dictate the private contractual agreements and operations of HOAs. HOAs serve as free-market alternatives to government zoning and land use standards, as individuals can choose the restrictiveness of the community they wish to join or select to live on property outside the governance of an HOA.
SB 217Assembly 20251x

Protecting Assisted Reproduction from Government Interference and Overreach.

With DEMs
This bill prohibits state and local governments from enacting or enforcing laws that substantially burden access to assisted reproduction, related medications or devices, or the ability of providers to offer such services within their scope of practice. The measure establishes a clear legal standard that limits government interference, provides judicial remedies when those limits are violated, and offers liability protections for individuals and entities involved in assisted reproductive services. By restraining government authority and preventing regulatory actions that single out or burden assisted reproduction, the bill protects medical freedom, personal decision-making, and access to reproductive care from expansive state control. Support.
SB 260Assembly 20251x

Expanding Employment Mandates by Regulating Outdoor Work Based on Air Quality Standards.

Against DEMs
This bill requires the Division of Industrial Relations to adopt regulations mandating how employers must monitor air quality and limit outdoor work when wildfire smoke causes the air quality index to reach specified thresholds, including prohibiting certain outdoor tasks at state-determined levels. The measure also requires employers to establish new communication systems, provide state-prescribed training, and comply with detailed regulatory standards governing employee exposure to wildfire smoke, with limited exemptions based on industry type or employer size. Regulating workplace operations through statewide air quality mandates increases regulatory burdens on employers and expands state control over day-to-day business decisions that are better handled through flexible, employer-led safety practices. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill imposes prescriptive state regulations on private employers, reducing flexibility and expanding government oversight of workplace safety decisions.
SB 28Assembly 20251x

Subsidizing Housing and Transit Projects Through Diverted Property Tax Revenue by Expanding Tax Increment Financing.

Against DEMs
This bill expands the use of tax increment financing by authorizing municipalities to designate tax increment areas for affordable housing projects, multi-family housing, transit-oriented development, and major transportation projects tied to fixed guideway or high-capacity transit systems. The measure allows local governments to divert future increases in property tax revenue within designated areas to repay bonds and other debt issued for these projects, prioritizing government-selected developments over general taxpayer needs. Expanding tax increment financing to fund housing and transit initiatives shifts property tax revenue away from core public services, increases long-term public debt, and expands government-directed development at the expense of fiscal restraint and taxpayer accountability. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as tax increment financing diverts tax revenue, increases public debt, and expands government planning and subsidies rather than relying on market-driven development and responsible budgeting.
SB 301Assembly 20251x

Hiking Taxpayer Costs by Expanding Unclassified State Employee Collective Bargaining.

Against DEMs
This bill redefines "employee" for purposes of collective bargaining to include category I, II, and III peace officers in the unclassified service of the state, granting them the same bargaining rights previously limited to classified state employees. Under current law, unclassified employees are excluded from collective bargaining due to the nature of their roles, responsibilities, and chain-of-command considerations, but this measure removes that distinction for state peace officers. Expanding collective bargaining rights to unclassified peace officers shifts employment terms from managerial and executive control to labor negotiations, increasing union influence over compensation, work rules, and discipline in roles that exercise core governmental authority. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as extending collective bargaining to unclassified peace officers expands public-sector union power, limits executive discretion, and reduces accountability in critical law enforcement functions.
SB 352Assembly 20251x

Growing Government Control of Healthcare by Expanding the Definition of "Protected Characteristics".

Against DEMs
This bill expands nondiscrimination requirements across public and private health insurance plans, Medicaid, and health care providers by redefining "protected characteristic" to include race, color, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and sex, including sex characteristics, intersex traits, and pregnancy-related conditions. Previously, existing law included only gender identity or expression. By significantly expanding state-defined protected characteristics and empowering regulators and licensing boards to enforce compliance through discipline and regulation, the bill increases government control over health care decisions and limits discretion for insurers and medical professionals. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the bill expands regulatory authority and enforcement power in health care markets, increasing state involvement in private coverage decisions and medical practice.
SB 389Assembly 20251x

Reducing Prescription Drug Costs by Centralizing Pharmacy Benefit Management to Counter Rising Health Care Expenses Caused by Obamacare.

With DEMs
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to select and contract with a single, state-designated pharmacy benefit manager to manage prescription drug benefits for Medicaid and certain other public health plans, replacing fragmented purchasing and rebate arrangements. The measure establishes state-approved reimbursement methodologies, creates a benchmark tied to actual drug acquisition costs, and requires Medicaid managed care organizations to utilize the state pharmacy benefit manager for pharmacy benefits administration. By centralizing purchasing power and reimbursement standards to reduce prescription drug spending driven by rising health care costs under federal health care mandates, the bill seeks to deliver savings to taxpayers and beneficiaries while improving fiscal oversight of public health programs. Support is the Limited Government Position as controlling runaway health care costs and reducing taxpayer exposure created by federal health care policies requires states to pursue cost-saving efficiencies and stronger oversight of public spending.
SB 406Assembly 20251x

Reducing Accountability by Granting Retroactive Immunity to State Institutions for COVID-Related Actions.

Against DEMs
This bill grants the State of Nevada, public institutions of higher education, and their officers and employees immunity from civil liability for damages related to actions or omissions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic that affected educational services in the spring semester of 2020. The measure applies retroactively, shields the state from lawsuits tied to tuition and fees, and broadly defines good-faith compliance with public health guidance as a basis for immunity, while extending these protections through 2030. Granting sweeping and retroactive immunity for government actions limits accountability, restricts legal recourse for affected individuals, and expands state protection from liability beyond traditional limits on governmental power. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as broad and retroactive immunity provisions reduce accountability, weaken checks on government action, and deny individuals the ability to seek redress through the courts.
SB 422Assembly 20251x

Weakening Election Integrity by Expanding Provisional Ballot Use Without Proper Voter Identification.

Against DEMs
This bill revises voter registration procedures to allow individuals who lack a current and valid government-issued photo identification or proof of residency to register and cast a provisional ballot during early voting or on election day by completing a written affirmation. The measure permits ballots to be cast before identity and residency are fully verified and shifts verification to after election day, placing the burden on election officials rather than requiring eligibility to be established upfront. By allowing individuals without proper identification to cast provisional ballots and curing eligibility after the fact, the bill weakens voter identification standards and increases government-managed discretion in election administration, raising concerns about uniform enforcement and election integrity. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as maintaining strong safeguards against voter fraud is a critical aspect of ensuring free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation''s constitutional republic.
SB 443Assembly 20251x

Hiking Taxpayer Costs by Expanding Prevailing Wage Mandates to Private Utility Construction Projects.

Against DEMs
This bill requires contractors and subcontractors performing construction work on certain significant operational or capital requirement projects awarded by public utilities to comply with prevailing wage laws, even when the work does not qualify as a public work under existing law. The measure applies government-set wage requirements to private utility projects, with limited exceptions tied to collective bargaining or project labor agreements, and extends public works mandates beyond their traditional scope. Extending prevailing wage requirements to private utility construction increases labor costs, limits competition, and expands state wage-setting authority into private contracts, raising project costs that are ultimately borne by ratepayers and taxpayers. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as prevailing wage mandates needlessly drive-up taxpayer costs by imposing significant additional costs onto government contractors.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Asm. Howard Watts's voting record?

Asm. Howard Watts (D-NV-15) earned a 13% National Democrat Platform score for 2025, showing minimal alignment with Democratic Party Platform principles. Howard Watts voted on 52 of the 52 substantive bills scored by Dem Platform in 2025. Howard Watts represents the 15th District in the Nevada State Assembly.

How aligned is Howard Watts with Democratic Party Platform principles?

Howard Watts earned a 13% National Democrat Platform score in 2025, showing minimal alignment with Democratic Party Platform principles.

What is Howard Watts's Dem Platform score?

Howard Watts has a 13% Dem Platform score for 2025.

Where does Howard Watts serve?

Asm. Howard Watts (D-NV-15) represents the 15th District in the Nevada State Assembly as a Democrat.

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