Statement from Governor Lombardo on Assembly Bill 530

CARSON CITY, NV - Earlier this week, Governor Joe Lombardo received Assembly Bill 530 (AB530) from the Nevada State Legislature, and he signed it into law.

“Fuel Revenue Indexing (FRI) supports critical transportation infrastructure across Southern Nevada, and Assembly Bill 530 enables the Clark County Commission to take timely action on this issue through a two-thirds vote,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “I would have strongly preferred that AB530 go before Southern Nevada voters directly. To avoid similar situations in the future, my office is exploring a statutory amendment to require all sunset bills to automatically go back to the ballot before the sunset expires. Politicians should not be the sole arbiters of sunset extensions, and if passed, this amendment would return the vote to the people.”

Background on Fuel Revenue Indexing (FRI):
• Since its initial approval, FRI has been instrumental in creating over 20,400 jobs that need to be sustained.

• FRI is set to expire on December 31, 2026 and has earlier deadlines for bonding. A delay in approval could jeopardize critical transportation projects.

• Southern Nevada will face a severe transportation system funding shortfall without FRI, and roadway maintenance and construction funding would decrease by two-thirds from $300 million to $100 million per year.

• With this significant decrease in roadway funding, Nevadans would see increased traffic delays, project cancellations, and inadequate maintenance of roads across the Las Vegas Valley, which would lead to significant safety hazards.

• Southern Nevada currently has 179 unfunded projects totaling $2.7 billion – projects deemed essential by local jurisdictions. This unfunded project list, however, does not include needed infrastructure in key economic growth areas like Apex, El Dorado Valley, Ivanpah Valley, Sloan, and the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport.