What a whirlwind these last two days have been. At times, it has felt less like a legislative process and and more like watching a Bravo reality show—complete with plot twists, sharp exchanges, and the ever-present tension between Northern and Southern Nevada. The days have been long, and I almost wish we had legislator confessionals to go with them.

The hearing rooms—and even the overflow spaces—were packed as supporters and opponents lined up to testify. Fireworks flew in committee: Speaker Yeager issued a sharp rebuke toward Assemblymember LaRue Hatch, and Assemblymember Torres-Fawcett stepped in to defend her and the actions of the minority caucus shortly before the committee advanced the bill. AB 4, the omnibus crime bill, also passed out of committee. Both pieces of legislation remain highly contentious, setting the stage for what looks to be a heated and emotional floor debate on Sunday morning.

Amid the tension, there was also meaningful progress. Yesterday, Senate Bill 6 was introduced—a crucial next step in addressing the long-standing crisis in Windsor Park. This historically Black neighborhood in North Las Vegas has been literally sinking for nearly forty years due to shifting fault lines and the over-tapping of the underground aquifer. Homes and infrastructure have continued to crack and buckle as the ground moves beneath them.

During the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers passed the Windsor Park Environmental Justice Act (SB 450), which provided $37 million to support relocation efforts. While the framework for relocation was established, many households still remain—well over twenty—and additional funding is needed to complete the project. Senator Dina Neal, who represents the area, has been a tireless advocate for the community. With new home construction now planned for around 90 replacement homes, SB 6 seeks to secure the remaining funds needed to ensure every resident can relocate safely. Testimony during the hearing was deeply moving—from long-time residents who have endured decades of uncertainty, to newer homeowners who unknowingly purchased homes without being told about the geological instability beneath them.

The evening ended with a rare moment of unanimity: the Senate passed SB 3, which establishes the Silver State General Assistance Program. This measure creates a state-managed safety net fund to ensure that, if SNAP administration is disrupted during extraordinary circumstances—such as a government shutdown—Nevada can step in to support food assistance. While the bill focuses primarily on establishing this general assistance framework, it is also connected to broader investments in social services that lawmakers have been discussing throughout the session.

The work stretched late into the night, wrapping up around 10 p.m. Pastor Paul will be back at the Legislature on Saturday as the special session continues.

As 2025 draws to a close, Global Refuge reflects on the many ways the work of welcome has been tested—and our conviction to come back better than ever in 2026. Join us to learn more about the current state of immigration policy, our programming, and how you can help us meet critical needs and spread hope in the final month of the year.

Dec 1, 2025 11:00 AM 

With the Presidential Determination capping the refugee admissions ceiling at a record-low 7,500, now is the most important time to weigh in and express support for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).Contact your members of Congress today to urge the administration to fully restore the USRAP with a meaningful consultation process with the House and Senate Judiciary Committees; an updated, higher Presidential Determination target for refugee admissions in FY 2026; and a USRAP system that remains open to various groups of humanitarian concern across the world.

Calling all hunger champions — Join this network of the Grand Canyon Synod! Meet to hear updates on national and local Hunger and Food Insecurity efforts and initiatives, to learn from one another, and to share with the group what’s happening in our congregations. Anyone interested in alleviating hunger is welcome. Prepare to be encouraged and supported!

If you have any questions about this group, please contact Melanie Hobden (Desert Cross, Tempe) or Solveig Muus (LAMA).

If you have any questions about this group, please contact Melanie Hobden (Desert Cross, Tempe) or Solveig Muus (LAMA).

What a day. I went to the Legislature today—my very first Special Session. I’ve been preparing all week, curious about what it would be like to experience it in person. The morning session was largely procedural. Shortly after the first reading of the bills and their referral to committee, Assemblywoman Selena La Rue Hatch raised a procedural challenge to Assembly Bill 5. She argued that AB 5 was not an emergency measure and therefore should not be considered during a Special Session. When the motion was put to a vote, it failed in a 21–21 tie. That means any move forward on this bill—whether to advance it or to block it—will require someone to cross the aisle.

In the afternoon, I attended the hearing for AB 4. The opposition offered powerful testimony rooted in lived experience. Community members from Las Vegas’ Latine and Black communities took Uber rides and showed up to make their voices heard, naming the disproportionate harm this bill would continue to inflict on communities of color. They spoke plainly: there was no public input in crafting this bill. Instead, it appears to be influenced by the Las Vegas gaming industry and would give Metro Police broader authority to harass or arrest people experiencing homelessness.

A volunteer from Night Off the Streets testified remotely from Carson City on her way into the warming shelter, offering her perspective from frontline work.

LEAN testified in opposition to AB 4. We shared that the bill moves Nevada away from a justice rooted in restoration, disproportionately impacts already-marginalized neighbors, and diverts critical resources from prevention and renewal. We urged the Legislature to invest in healing, equity, and community flourishing—rather than deeper incarceration. Our faith calls us to speak for the voiceless, to restore rather than merely punish, and to work for the peace and justice of all God’s children.

One notable change this session: unlike past sessions, the Assembly has decided not to allow phone testimony. This is a significant setback for public access, particularly in a Special Session where travel is difficult and time is compressed.

I also sat in on the hearing for AB 5. It was fascinating to hear the diversity of coalitions engaging this issue. LEAN did not take a position on the bill, but I wanted to listen. Some testified in support, emphasizing high-paying jobs and revenue that could fund universal pre-K in Clark County. Others expressed concern that granting major tax credits to Hollywood studios could undermine affordability efforts and divert needed resources away from housing, healthcare, and food assistance.

As of now, here are the bills moving through the Special Session:

• AB 4: Lombardo Omnibus Crime Bill
• AB 5: Nevada Studio Infrastructure Jobs and Workforce Training Act
• AB 6: Restores certain provisions of traffic law previously rolled back
• SB 4: Establishing the Silver State General Assistance Program

We will keep following the Special Session closely. It is shaping up to be an intense and important week. Pastor Paul will be back at the Legislature tomorrow at 11 AM.

Update:

SB 4 was passed 21-0

SB 6: Revises the Windsor Park Environmental Justice Act, was introduced at the 10 AM Friday Morning Senate Session