Nevada requires wildlife details in reviews of major highway projects

The Nevada Department of Transportation must review a covered highway project’s costs and benefits before submitting it to its board for approval. The requirement covers projects expected to increase the state highway system’s capacity and cost at least $50 million. The review must discuss wildlife crash numbers in each highway district involved and the value of reducing those crashes through wildlife crossings. The review must allow comparisons between projects and be available to the board and public when the meeting agenda is posted. The law took effect on July 1, 2025.

The Nevada Department of Transportation’s director must report the progress of listed wildlife crossing projects and related highway features, along with the need for those projects. The report covers current and proposed projects in the department’s inventory of places where highways need wildlife crossings or related features. The director must send the report to the transportation board and legislative staff for delivery to the Interim Finance Committee. The report is due by December 31 each year and covers the preceding fiscal year. The law took effect on July 1, 2025.

Deputy directors of the Nevada Department of Transportation must meet both education or licensing requirements and experience requirements. These qualifications apply to each deputy director. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in business, economics, or public or business administration; a bachelor of science in civil, structural, mechanical, or industrial engineering; or a professional engineer license. Applicants also need at least two years of administrative experience as an assistant director or Chief Engineer, or at least 15 years of increasingly responsible work in engineering, project management, business, or economics. The law took effect on July 1, 2025.