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One to Keep An Eye On: Nevada's Dueling Minimum Wage Bills


As with many employment and labor law related cases (and bills) being litigated around the country, there are always a few that stand out.

This is one to keep an eye on.


Currently, there are two minimum wage bills working their way through the Nevada State Legislature.  At the present time, the hourly minimum wage rate in the state is set at $7.25/hour if an employer offers health insurance and $8.25/hour if no health insurance is offered.  


Assembly Bill 175

Under Assembly Bill 175, the hourly minimum wage rate would increase up to $14/hour (for those employers who do offer health insurance) and to $15/hour (for those employers who do not offer health insurance).  Under the proposed bill, the hourly minimum wage rate would increase up to $14/hour or $15/hour over the next few years by raising the minimum wage rate by $1.25/year.  


Senate Bill 106

As well, there is a proposed bill, Senate Bill 106, working its way through the Nevada Senate which wold raise the hourly minimum wage rate to $11/hour (for those employers who do offer health insurance) and to $12/hour (for those employers who do not offer health insurance).  Under the proposed bill, the hourly minimum wage rate would increase up to $11/hour or $12/hour over the next few years by raising the minimum wage rate by $.75/year.


It will be interesting to see if either bill can garner enough support to pass.  Given the contentious fight that is likely to unfold among hourly workers/labor unions/pro-employee groups and employers/the pro-employer lobby over both bills, I would speculate that the Senate Bill might have a better chance of becoming law...given that it would only modestly raise the hourly minimum wage rate.  Stay tuned.


For additional information as to the Assembly Bill:  https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/79th2017/Bill/4939/Text

For additional information as to the Senate Bill:  https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/79th2017/Bill/4835/Text

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