Nevada sets deadlines for state employee contract talks

The Governor must include agreed contract payments in the proposed budget when practicable. This applies to money agreed upon in collective bargaining agreements for Nevada state employees. If including the payments is impractical, the Governor must report the reason to the Legislature. The report is due on the same day the Governor submits the proposed biennial budget.

The state’s representative and employee representatives must begin contract talks by April 1. This applies to bargaining between the Executive Department and employee bargaining units, including a newly represented unit. Before talks begin, the parties select a mediator and arbitrator and, when possible, reserve dates for them. The April 1 deadline applies in each even-numbered year; the 60-day deadline applies after the Board designates a representative for an unrepresented unit.

Either side may request mediation when the stated negotiation threshold is reached; if mediation does not settle the dispute, the parties must arbitrate. These steps apply to bargaining units negotiating with the Executive Department, with different mediation thresholds for units with existing agreements and units negotiating their first agreement. For a unit with an existing agreement, mediation may be requested after at least six negotiation meetings or by September 5 in an even-numbered year, whichever comes first. For a unit negotiating its first agreement, it may be requested after at least eight meetings or 90 days of talks, whichever comes first. If mediation does not settle the dispute within 10 days after the request, or by a later date the parties agree to, mediation ends and arbitration begins. The parties may agree to a later arbitration start date, but not a later decision deadline. Arbitration must begin by September 15 and the arbitrator must decide by December 5 in an even-numbered year.

The Economic Forum must prepare a report of economic projections and expected state revenue for the Governor and Legislature. The report covers economic indicators and estimated state revenue for the coming biennium. The November 15 deadline applies in each even-numbered year.

The law sets aside money for costs at the Division of Human Resource Management and the Governor’s Office. The appropriations support personnel, travel, operations, equipment, and information services at the Division of Human Resource Management and the Governor’s Office. The money is for costs of carrying out the act. Any unspent balance must be returned to the State General Fund by the dates set for each fiscal year. The appropriations took effect July 1, 2025, and cover fiscal years 2025–2026 and 2026–2027. Unspent money must be returned by September 18, 2026, and September 17, 2027, respectively.