New Laws Taking Effect at the Beginning of the Year

Tom Darby

CARSON CITY, Nev. (Dec. 26, 2025) — Several bills approved during the 2025 Nevada legislative session will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, bringing changes to traffic safety, labor regulations, insurance coverage, and health care.

One of the most significant changes comes from Assembly Bill 4, known as the Safe Streets Act. The law strengthens DUI penalties in crashes that result in death or serious injury. It also expands marijuana impairment standards to apply in felony DUI cases, increasing accountability in serious traffic incidents.

Changes are also coming to Nevada’s unemployment insurance system. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the taxable wage base for unemployment insurance will increase to $43,700, up from $41,800 in 2025, impacting employer contributions statewide.

Workers will see new protections under Assembly Bill 305, which caps the fee healthcare providers can charge for completing Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) certification forms at $30. The cap includes future adjustments tied to inflation.

Homeowners and insurers will be affected by Assembly Bill 376, which allows insurance companies to exclude wildfire coverage from standard homeowners’ insurance policies. The change will impact high-risk areas.

In the healthcare arena, Senate Bill 420, the Nevada Public Option, will continue its phased implementation in 2026. The law allows the state to require insurers seeking to participate in Nevada’s Medicaid managed care program to submit good-faith bids to offer and administer public option health plans.