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The Nevada Independent

Follow the Money: Tracking committee chair donations

Megan Messerly
Megan Messerly
Legislature
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Committee chairs act as the gatekeepers in the Legislature, deciding which bills will be heard, which will be voted on and which bills will never see the light of day.

Even as they wield immense power over what issues will be vetted and which will not, most all of the chairs have accepted political contributions over the past two years from the same organizations and people who will come before them to lobby for bills during their committee hearings.

Transportation chairs take donations from taxi companies, airlines and railroads. Education chairs receive contributions from some of the biggest education advocacy groups in the state. Commerce and labor chairs accept donations from some of the biggest businesses and unions in the state.

The Nevada Independent has compiled a list of all the top donors for each committee chair (above $5,000 for senators and above $3,000 for Assembly members) and highlighted smaller donations relevant to the kinds of bills expected to pass through each committee.

Click below to jump to a particular committee chair or scroll down to see a full list of committee chair donation highlights:

Senate Committees:

Assembly Committees:

Senate Commerce, Labor and Energy: Kelvin Atkinson

Atkinson chairs the Senate Committee on Commerce, Labor and Energy, a wide-ranging committee that deals with legislation related to energy, unions and businesses, trade and financial institutions and insurance. Last session, this committee heard legislation regulating Uber, Lyft and other ride-sharing companies, paid sick leave and net metering.

Notable labor contributions:

  • $10,000 from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association
  • $8,500 from the Laborers, including $2,500 from the Laborers Local 872 in Las Vegas, $1,000 from the Laborers Local 169 in Reno and $2,500 each from 872 PAC and G.O.P., two groups affiliated with the Las Vegas union local.
  • $7,507.14 from the Electric Workers, including $5,000 from IBEW Local 1245 and $2,507.14 from IBEW Local 357.
  • $5,000 from the International Union of Operating Engineers
  • $4,000 from the Nevada State AFL-CIO
  • $2,500 from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
  • $2,500 from the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 525
  • $2,000 from the Service Employees International Union Local 1107
  • $2,000 from the Sheet Metal Workers Union
  • $2,000 from firefighters, including $500 each from the Clark County Firefighters Union, the Las Vegas Firefighters Union and the North Las Vegas Firefighters Union and $1,000 from the Professional Firefighters of Nevada Union
  • $2,000 from the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters
  • $1,500 from the Southern Nevada Building and Construction Trades Council, an association of craft unions.
  • $1,000 from the Las Vegas City Employees Association

Notable energy contributions:

  • $6,500 from NV Energy
  • $5,000 from SolarCity
  • $5,000 from Southwest Gas
  • $2,500 from Ormat Nevada, a geothermal and recovered energy company based in Reno.
  • $2,500 from Sempra Energy, a natural gas utilities company based in San Diego.
  • $1,000 from First Solar Development, a solar panel manufacturer based on Tempe.
  • $750 from Rural E Advocates, affiliated with the Ely-based energy provider Mt. Wheeler Power.

Notable business contributions:

  • $10,000 from Las Vegas Sands
  • $10,000 from Raymond and Elaine Chenoweth. (Raymond Chenoweth owns Nellis Cab.)
  • $10,000 from Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $6,250 from MGM Resorts
  • $6,000 from Frias Transportation Management, a taxi company
  • $5,500 from AT&T
  • $5,500 from Boyd Gaming
  • $5,500 from Cox Communications
  • $5,000 from Caesars
  • $5,000 from South Valley Animal Hospital
  • $5,000 from Zuffa, the former UFC parent company
  • $5,000 from Dotty’s
  • $5,000 from South Point Hotel and Casino
  • $5,000 from Barrick Gold Corporation
  • $5,000 from TitleMax, a title lending company
  • $5,000 from Switch
  • $2,000 from the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce.
  • $1,500 from ARDA-ROC PAC, a political action committee representing timeshare owners.
  • $1,000 from Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.
  • $1,000 from Reynolds American, Inc., a tobacco company

Other top donors:

  • $10,000 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $5,000 from Eglet Law Group, a personal injury firm where Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford works
  • $5,000 from R&R Partners, a major lobbying firm

Senate Education: Mo Denis

Denis is chairing the Senate Committee on Education, which oversees legislation related to K-12 and higher education policy. Last session, this committee heard legislation pertaining to the Millennium Scholarship, class-size reduction and education programs like Zoom Schools.

Denis, who wasn’t up for election in 2016, only received 15 contributions between 2015 and 2016 for a total of $13,750. He didn’t receive any education-specific contributions, but here’s a look at the donations above $1,000 that he received.

Top donors:

  • $2,000 from the Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $1,000 from Anderson Dairy
  • $1,000 from Lewis Roca Rothberger Christie, a law firm with offices in Nevada that specializes in a number of areas of law.
  • $1,000 from Manufactured Home Community Owners
  • $1,000 from McDonald Carano Wilson, a law firm specializing in business with offices in Reno in Las Vegas.
  • $1,000 from MNCA Health Care Holdings, a dental benefits administrator
  • $1,000 from the Nevada Beer Wholesaler Association
  • $1,000 from Ormat Nevada, a geothermal and recovered energy company based in Reno
  • $1,000 from R&S Investment, owned by Robert “Bobby” Ellis, president and CEO of Snap Towing.
  • $1,000 from the Ferraro Group, a major lobbying firm

Senate Finance: Joyce Woodhouse

Woodhouse is chairing the Senate Committee on Finance, which oversees the state budget and any other proposals that cost the state money.

Top donations:

  • $25,000 from the Laborers, including $5,000 from the Laborers Local 169 in Reno and $10,000 from 872 PAC and $10,000 from Laborers for Solid State Leadership
  • $20,000 from MGM Resorts, including $10,000 from the Bellagio and $10,000 from MGM Resorts
  • $20,000 from major Democratic donor and philanthropist Tom Steyer and his wife Kathryn Taylor
  • $15,000 from the Clark County Education Association and its PAC
  • $12,000 from Station Casinos, including $2,500 each from Fiesta Henderson, Green Valley Ranch, Sunset Station and Texas Station and $2,000 from Station Casinos
  • $11,000 from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association and its affiliates
  • $10,000 from the Education Support Employees Association
  • $10,000 from Boyd Gaming
  • $10,000 from Eglet Law Group, a personal injury firm where Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford works
  • $10,000 from EMILY’s List
  • $10,000 from the International Union of Operating Engineers in Pasadena, CA
  • $10,000 from the Henderson Professional Firefighters Association
  • $10,000 from James Nave, a veterinarian at Tropicana Animal Hospital who sits on the board of directors for the Council for a Better Nevada. He has also served on boards for Station Casinos and the Bank of Nevada.
  • $10,000 from the Nevada Credit Union
  • $10,000 from the Nevada State Education Association
  • $10,000 from the Nevada Home Builders Association
  • $8,507.14 from the Electrical Workers Local 357
  • $8,500 from Caesars Entertainment
  • $8,000 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $8,000 from the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters
  • $6,500 from the Nevada Service Employees Union
  • $6,000 from Frias Transportation Management, a taxi company
  • $6,000 from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
  • $6,000 from the Electrical Workers Local 1245
  • $6,000 from the Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $5,000 from Barrick Gold Corporation
  • $5,000 from Henderson Taxi
  • $5,000 from the Las Vegas Firefighters Union
  • $5,000 from the Nevada Conservation League
  • $5,000 from R&R Partners, a major lobbying firm
  • $5,000 from Raymond Chenoweth, the owner of Nellis Cab
  • $5,000 from SolarCity
  • $5,000 from the South Point Hotel and Casino
  • $5,000 from Spike Buckley, a Denver businessman and director of the needle-free injection company PharmaJet
  • $5,000 from Switch
  • $5,000 from Whittlesea Blue Cab Company
  • $5,000 from Fundamental Administrative Services, which lists the same address as the law firm Marquis Aurbach Coffing
  • $5,000 from Wynn Resorts
  • $5,000 from the Southern Nevada Building and Construction Trades Council, an association of craft unions

Senate Government Affairs: David Parks

Parks is chairing the Senate Government Affairs Committee, which  deals with measures related to government, public affairs and veterans issues. Last session, this committee heard legislation on municipal bankruptcy, historical preservation and government purchasing and bidding.

Top donors:

  • $10,000 from MGM Resorts
  • $10,000 from Citizens for Justice Trust
  • $7,000 from the Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $6,000 from Frias Transportation Management, a taxi company
  • $5,000 from Dotty’s
  • $5,000 from Eglet Law Group, a personal injury firm where Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford works
  • $5,000 from the Electrical Workers Union Local 1245 in Vacaville, CA
  • $5,000 from the Las Vegas Police Protective association
  • $5,000 from South Point Hotel and Casino
  • $5,000 from Switch

Senate Health and Human Services: Pat Spearman

Spearman is chairing the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, which oversees measures related to health care. Last session, this committee heard legislation on regulating opioid prescriptions, medical marijuana and experimental drugs.

Notable health care contributions:

  • $3,000 from the Nevada Anesthesia Patient Safety PAC
  • $2,500 from Nevada Association of Health Facilities PAC
  • $2,250 from Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas
  • $2,000 from Caron Tayloe, a mental health counselor
  • $2,000 from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
  • $2,000 from United Health Group
  • $2,000 from Nevada Health PAC, the political action committee of the Nevada Hospital Association
  • $1,200 from Express Scripts, a nationwide pharmacy benefit management organization
  • $1,000 from the Nevada Optometric PAC
  • $1,000 from the Nevada Psychiatric Association
  • $1,000 from the Nevada Psychological Association
  • $1,000 from Amgen, a multinational biopharmaceutical company
  • $1,000 EmpRes Health care Management, , a consulting firm that provides services to skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, retirement communities and other related agencies in Nevada
  • $1,000 from Marquis Companies, a licensed home care company offering assisted living, post acute rehab, home health care and Alzheimer’s care
  • $750 from Astellas Pharma, a Japanese pharmaceutical company
  • $500 from Healthy Minds, a mental health provider in Southern Nevada.
  • $500 from NevMed Political Action, headquartered at the Nevada State Medical Association’s offices
  • $500 from the Nevada Dental Association
  • $500 from Pfizer, an American pharmaceutical company headquartered in New York City
  • $300 from GlaxoSmithKline, a British pharmaceutical company headquartered in London

Other top donors:

  • $10,000 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $10,000 from Las Vegas Sands Corp
  • $6,000 from Frias Transportation Management, a taxi company
  • $5,000 from Barrick Gold Corporation
  • $5,000 from the Clark County Education Association
  • $5,000 from Dotty’s
  • $6,000 from the Electrical Workers Local 1245 in Vacaville, CA
  • $5,000 from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association
  • $5,000 from MGM Resorts
  • $5,000 from SolarCity
  • $5,000 from South Point Hotel and Casino
  • $5,000 from Switch
  • $5,000 from Boyd Gaming
  • $5,000 from the International Union of Operating Engineers based in Pasadena, CA
  • $5,000 from the International Union of Operating Engineers local 501 in Las Vegas

Senate Judiciary: Tick Segerblom

Segerblom is chairing the Senate Committee on Judiciary, a wide-ranging committee that handles measures related to law and the courts. Last session, this committee heard bills on sex trafficking, homeowners associations and gun regulations.

Notable law contributions:

  • $10,000 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $5,000 from Eglet Law Group, a personal injury firm where Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford works
  • $5,000 from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association
  • $5,000 from the Law Offices of Brian Padgett, a condemnation and eminent domain lawyer in Las Vegas
  • $2,700 from Christian Gabroy, a personal injury attorney in Las Vegas
  • $2,500 from Edward Bernstein & Associates, a personal injury firm in Las Vegas
  • $2,000 from Kaempfer Crowell, a law and government affairs firm with offices in Reno, Carson City and Las Vegas
  • $1,500 from Michael Haight, a personal injury attorney in Las Vegas
  • $1,500 from  Tomlinson Law Group; Neal Tomlinson is a managing partner at Hyperion Advisors, a law and government relations firm in Las Vegas.
  • $1,000 from Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney, a personal injury firm in Northern Nevada
  • $1,000 from Eduardo San Miguel, a workers compensation and accident attorney
  • $1,000 from Henry Wykowski & Associates, a San Francisco-based law firm that represents medical marijuana dispensaries
  • $1,000 from Holland & Hart, a law firm specializing in business and litigation with offices in multiple states, including Nevada
  • $1,000 from Kemp, Jones & Coulthard, a Las Vegas law firm that specializes in litigation
  • $1,000 from Kermitt Waters, a Las Vegas attorney specializing in eminent domain and condemnation
  • $1,000 from Lewis Roca Rothberger Christie, a law firm with offices in Nevada that specializes in a number of areas of law.

Other top donors:

  • $6,500 from Medizin, a Las Vegas medical marijuana dispensary
  • $6,000 from the Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $5,000 from Barrick Gold
  • $5,000 from Dotty’s
  • $5,000 from the Electrical Workers Local 1246
  • $5,000 from MGM Resorts
  • $5,000 from the International Union of Operating Engineers in Pasadena, CA
  • $5,000 from South Point Hotel and Casino
  • $5,000 from David Tuttleman, CEO of Matrix NV

Senate Legislative Operations and Elections: Nicole Cannizzaro

Cannizzaro is chairing the Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections, which deals with measures affecting the Legislature itself and the elections process. Last session, this committee heard legislation dealing with pay for elected officials, cooling off periods for lawmakers and voter registration deadlines.

Top donors:

  • $20,000 from major national Democratic donor and philanthropist Tom Steyer and his wife Kathryn Taylor
  • $18,000 from the Laborers, including $10,000 from Laborers for Solid State Leadership, $5,000 from 872 PAC and $3,000 from Laborers Local 169 in Reno
  • $10,000 from EMILY’S List
  • $10,000 from Eglet Law Group, a personal injury firm where Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford works
  • $10,000 from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association
  • $10,000 from Greg Serrurier, vice president at Dodge & Cox, which provides professional investment management services, and his wife Nancy Serrurier
  • $10,000 from the Operating Engineers Local 12, based in Pasadena, CA
  • $10,000 from Raymond and Elaine Chenoweth. (Raymond Chenoweth owns Nellis Cab.)
  • $10,000 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $10,000 from MGM Resorts
  • $9,000 from the Nevada State Education Association
  • $8,000 from Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters
  • $8,007.14 from the Electrical Workers Union Local 357
  • $7,500 from the Nevada Service Employees Union Local 1107
  • $5,000 from the Laborers, including $5,00 from 872 PAC
  • $5,000 from Adam Lewis, listed at the address of the Lewis Foundation in Coral Gables, FL
  • $5,000 from Alix Ritchie, a media strategy consultant from Fort Lauderdale
  • $5,000 from Education Support Employees Association
  • $5,000 from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
  • $5,000 from James Nave, a veterinarian at Tropicana Animal Hospital who sits on the board of directors for the Council for a Better Nevada. He has also served on boards for Station Casinos and the Bank of Nevada.
  • $5,000 Julie Packard, executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium
  • $5,000 from the Las Vegas Firefighters Union
  • $5,000 from the Nevada Conservation League
  • $5,000 from South Point Hotel and Casino
  • $5,000 from Spike Buckley, a Denver businessman and director of the needle-free injection company PharmaJet
  • $5,000 from Switch
  • $5,000 from Wynn Resorts
  • $5,000 from Dotty’s
  • $5,000 from Fundamental Administrative Services, which lists the same address as the law firm Marquis Aurbach Coffing
  • $5,000 from the Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $5,000 from the Building and Construction Trades Council of Northern Nevada
  • $5,000 from Henderson Taxi
  • $5,000 from Whittlesea Blue Cab Company

Senate Natural Resources: Yvanna Cancela

Cancela is chairing the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, which like its Assembly counterpart deals with legislation pertaining to natural resources, agriculture, and mining policy. Last session, this committee heard legislation on the sage grouse, pollution cleanup and hunting regulations.

Notable mining contributions:

  • $2,500 from Albermarle, which operates the Silver Peak lithium mine in Esmeralda County
  • $2,000 from the Nevada Mining Association

Top donors:

  • $17,500 from the Laborers, including $7,500 from Laborers’ For Solid State Leadership, $5,000 from 872 PAC and $5,000 from G.O.P.
  • $5,000 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $5,000 from Nevada Realtors PAC

Senate Revenue and Economic Development: Julia Ratti

Ratti is chairing the Senate Committee on Revenue and Economic Development, which covers a variety of state revenue issues, tax abatements and economic development. Last session, this committee heard legislation dealing with film tax credits, the commerce tax and property taxes.

Top donors:

  • $7,500 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $7,500 from MGM Resorts
  • $7,500 from Operating Engineers Local No. 3
  • $7,000 from Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $6,000 from Frias Transportation Management, a taxi company
  • $5,000 from Grand Sierra Resort & Casino
  • $5,000 from Nugget Casino Resort

Senate Transportation: Mark Manendo

Manendo is chairing the Senate Committee on Transportation, which oversees legislation dealing with highways, roads, bridges, vehicles and aeronautics. Last session, this committee heard legislation having to do with specialty license plates, speed limits and drivers licenses.

Notable transportation contributions:

  • $8,500 from Frias Transportation Management, a taxi company
  • $5,000 from Motor Vehicle Software Corporation
  • $5,000 from Yellow Cab Corp.
  • $4,000 from the Nevada Trucking Association
  • $5,000 from Bell Trans, which offers chartered limousines, sedans and bus services in Las Vegas
  • $2,500 from Henderson Taxi
  • $2,500 from Whittlesea Blue Cab Company
  • $2,000 from Desert Cab
  • $1,000 from Nevada Franchise Auto Dealers Association

Other top donors:

  • $10,000 from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association
  • $10,000 from the Laborers, including $5,000 from Laborers for a Solid State Leadership and $5,000 from 872 PAC
  • $6,000 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $6,000 from the Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $5,000 from R&S Leasing, owned by Robert “Bobby” Ellis, president and CEO of Snap Towing.

Assembly Commerce and Labor: Irene Bustamante Adams

Bustamante Adams chairs the Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor, which has jurisdiction over “measures affecting primarily certain commercial and property rights and transactions, trade regulations and practices, labor and industrial relations, professions, occupations, businesses, banks, financial institutions and other related organizations, insurance, energy, certain public utilities, and similar entities.” Last session, this committee heard legislation adjusting collective bargaining rules for local governments, lifting restrictions on wineries and penalizing companies who hired undocumented immigrants.

Notable labor contributions:

  • $10,500 from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association and its affiliates
  • $7,000 from the Nevada State Education Association
  • $5,000 from the International Union of Operating Engineers
  • $5,000 from the Nevada Subcontractors Association
  • $5,000 from the Professional Firefighters of Nevada Union
  • $3,000 from the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters
  • $3,500 from the Laborers, including $2,500 from 872 PAC and $1,000 from the Laborers Local 169 in Reno.
  • $3,000 from the Southern Nevada Building and Construction Trades Council, an association of craft unions
  • $3,000 from the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters
  • $2,500 from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
  • $2,000 from the Nevada Service Employees International Union
  • $2,000 from the United Food & Commercial Workers Western States Council
  • $1,500 from the California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers
  • $1,000 from the Nevada State AFL-CIO
  • $1,000 from the Sheet Metal Workers International Association
  • $503.57 from the Electrical Workers Local 357
  • $500 from the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 525
  • $500 from the Las Vegas City Employees Association
  • $500 from the Las Vegas Firefighters Union
  • $500 from the North Las Vegas Firefighters Union

Notable energy contributions:

  • $10,000 from NV Energy
  • $6,000 from Southwest Gas
  • $5,000 from SolarCity
  • $2,500 from Ormat Nevada, a geothermal and recovered energy company based in Reno
  • $2,500 from Valley Electric Association, a non-profit electric utility based in Pahrump
  • $2,000 from Sempra Energy, a natural gas utilities company based in San Diego

Notable business contributions:

  • $10,000 from Dotty’s
  • $10,000 from MGM Resorts
  • $10,000 from Barrick Gold
  • $10,000 from the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce
  • $8,000 from the Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $7,000 from the Nevada Trucking Association
  • $6,500 from Las Vegas Paving
  • $5,500 from Boyd Gaming
  • $5,500 from Caesars Entertainment
  • $5,500 from Station Casinos, including $2,000 from Red Rock Resort and Spa, $1,500 from Wildfire Casino and $1,000 each from Santa Fe Station and Wild Wild West
  • $5,500 from Frias Transportation Management, a taxi company
  • $5,000 from Grand Sierra Resort & Casino
  • $5,000 from Las Vegas Sands Corp
  • $5,000 from Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, a nationwide beverage distributor
  • $5,000 from Wynn Resorts
  • $5,000 from Switch
  • $5,000 from the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers
  • $5,000 from Cox Communications
  • $5,000 from TitleMax, a title lending company
  • $4,000 from AT&T
  • $1,500 from Reynolds American, Inc., a tobacco company
  • $600 from IMPAC, the Henderson Chamber of Commerce’s Issue Mobilization Political Action Committee

Other top donors:

  • $10,000 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $5,000 from R&R Partners, a major lobbying firm
  • $4,500 from Lewis & Roca
  • $4,500 from Sunrise Hospital
  • $3,000 from Prime Health care Services
  • $3,000 from the Ferraro Group, a major lobbying firm

Assembly Corrections, Parole and Probation: James Ohrenschall

Ohrenschall chairs the Assembly Committee on Corrections, Parole and Probation, which oversees measures related to the corrections system and sentencing reform. This committee did not exist last session.

Notable corrections, police and lawyer contributions:

  • $10,000 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $1,500 from Lewis Roca Rothberger Christie, a law firm with offices in Nevada that specializes in a number of areas of law.
  • $1,000 from Edward Bernstein, a car accident and personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas
  • $1,000 from Eglet Law Group, a personal injury firm where Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford works
  • $1,000 from Greenberg Traurig, an international law firm with a Las Vegas office
  • $1,000 from Randazza Legal Group, a Las Vegas law firm specializing in first amendment and intellectual property
  • $250 from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association

Other top donors:

  • $5,000 from Las Vegas Sands
  • $5,000 from Liberty Oil & Refining Association
  • $5,000 from MGM Resorts
  • $4,000 from the Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $3,00 from the Nevada State Education Association

Assembly Education: Tyrone Thompson

Thompson chairs the Assembly Committee on Education, which has jurisdiction over “measures affecting the system of public instruction, K-12 education, and higher education, except measures affecting state and local revenue.” Last session, this committee dealt with anti-bullying laws, charter schools and teacher licensure.

Notable education contributions:

  • $3,000 from the Nevada State Education Association

Other top donors:

  • $7,000 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $5,000 from MGM Resorts
  • $3,500 from Brooks Behavioral Health Center
  • $3,000 from Boyd Gaming
  • $3,000 from the Nevada Realtors PAC

Assembly Government Affairs: Edgar Flores

Flores chairs the Assembly Committee on Government Affairs, which manages “measures related to government, public affairs, and veterans issues.” Last session, this committee heard legislation dealing with the Public Employee Retirement System, feral cat colonies and domestic wells.

Top donors:

  • $7,000 from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association
  • $4,000 from the Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $3,500 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers

Assembly Health and Human Services: Mike Sprinkle

Sprinkle chairs the Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services, which has jurisdiction over “measures related primarily to public welfare, health care, and safety.” Last session, this committee dealt with legislation relating to the care of people with disabilities, regulating childcare facilities and foster care.

Notable health care contributions:

  • $4,500 from NVOS BONEPAC, a political action committee affiliated with the Nevada Orthopedic Society
  • $2,500 from Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Reno
  • $1,500 from Nevada Health PAC, the political action committee of the Nevada Hospital Association
  • $1,500 from Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas
  • $1,000 from EmpRes Health care Management, a consulting firm that provides services to skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, retirement communities and other related agencies in Nevada.
  • $1,000 from Amerigroup, a health insurance and managed health care provider
  • $1,000 from Amgen, a multinational biopharmaceutical company
  • $1,000 from Anthem Blue Cross, a health insurance provider
  • $1,000 from Marquis Companies, a licensed home care company offering assisted living, post acute rehab, home health care and Alzheimer’s care
  • $1,000 from Pfizer, a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in New York
  • $1,000 from PhRMA, a trade group representing pharmaceutical companies
  • $1,000 from Sunovion, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Massachusetts.
  • $500 from NevMed Political Action, headquartered at the Nevada State Medical Association’s offices
  • $500 from Nevada Anaesthesia Patient Safety PAC, affiliated with the Nevada State Society of Anesthesiologists
  • $500 from Nevada Dental Association PAC
  • $500 from Nevada Optometric PAC
  • $500 from Astellas Pharma, a Japanese pharmaceutical company
  • $500 from Celgene Corporation, an American biotechnology company headquartered in New Jersey.
  • $500 from Healthy Minds, a mental health provider in Southern Nevada
  • $500 from Sanofi, a French multinational pharmaceutical company.
  • $500 from Takeda Pharmaceuticals, a Japanese pharmaceutical company.
  • $500 from UnitedHealth Group, a health insurance provider.

Other top donors:

  • $10,000 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $8,000 from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association
  • $5,000 from MGM Grand
  • $4,000 from the Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $4,000 from the Nevada State Education Association
  • $3,000 from Boyd Gaming
  • $3,000 from the Laborers Local 169 in Reno

Assembly Judiciary: Steve Yeager

Yeager chairs the Assembly Committee on Judiciary, which has jurisdiction over “measures affecting primarily the State Judicial Department, justice courts, civil practice and procedure, remedies and special actions and proceedings, business associations, securities and commodities, certain commercial instruments and transactions, certain property rights and transactions, domestic relations, wills and estates, guardianships, conservatorships and trusts, criminal procedure, crimes and punishments, gaming, and measures affecting correctional institutions and the ongoing supervision of offenders.” Last session, this committee heard legislation relating to construction defects, judicial discipline and concealed carry laws.

Notable law contributions:

  • $10,000 from Eglet Law Group, a personal injury firm where Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford works
  • $10,000 from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association
  • $10,000 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $5,000 from the Washington DC Investments, headquartered at the offices of the Las Vegas criminal defense firm Woolridge Law
  • $2,500 from Cogburn Law Offices, a personal injury firm in Las Vegas
  • $2,500 from the Law Offices of Brian C. Padgett, an eminent domain and property rights firm in Las Vegas
  • $2,000 from Farhan Naqvi, a personal injury attorney in Las Vegas
  • $1,500 from Kaempfer Crowell, a law and government affairs firm with offices in Reno, Carson City and Las Vegas
  • $1,000 from Bequest, an online service that provides legal forms and legal information.
  • $1,000 from De Castroverde Law Group, a Las Vegas law firm specializing in personal injury, criminal defense, immigration law and divorce cases.
  • $1,000 from Edward M. Bernstein & Associates, a personal injury firm in Las Vegas.
  • $1,000 from Lewis Roca Rothberger Christie, a law firm with offices in Nevada that specializes in a number of areas of law.
  • $1,000 from Tomlinson Law Group; Neal Tomlinson is a managing partner at Hyperion Advisors, a law and government relations firm in Las Vegas.

Other top donors:

  • $10,000 from MGM Resorts
  • $10,000 from Robert Yosaitis, president at Bradley Pacific Aviation
  • $12,000 from the Laborers, including $5,000 from 872 PAC and $7,000 from the Laborers for Solid State Leadership
  • $5,011.14 from the Electrical Workers’ Local Union 357 PAC
  • $5,000 from the International Union of Operating Engineers
  • $4,000 from the Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $4,000 from Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa
  • $4,000 from Dotty’s
  • $3,000 from NV Energy

Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections: Olivia Diaz

Diaz chairs the Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections, which, as the name suggests, oversees “measures affecting Legislative operations and elections policy.” Last session, this committee heard legislation relating to sample ballots, campaign finance reports and candidate residency requirements.

Top donors:

  • $7,000 from the Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $6,500 from Citizens for Justice Trust
  • $5,000 from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association
  • $5,000 from SolarCity
  • $5,000 from Switch
  • $5,000 from Las Vegas Sands Corp.
  • $5,000 from Boyd Gaming
  • $5,000 from MGM Resorts
  • $4,000 from the Nevada State Education Association
  • $3,500 from Frias Transportation Management, a taxi company
  • $3,000 from NV Energy

Assembly Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Mining: Heidi Swank

Swank chairs the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining, which covers “measures affecting natural resources, agriculture, and mining policy.” Last session, this committee heard legislation relating to wild horse management, fire protection and industrial hemp farming.

Notable mining contributions:

  • $1,500 from Newmont Mining
  • $1,000 from Barrick Gold Corporation

Other top donors:

  • $7,000 for Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $7,000 from the Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $500 from Las Vegas Paving
  • $4,000 from Leah Sturgis, a critic of coyote hunting.
  • $4,000 from MGM Resorts
  • $3,003.57 from the Electrical Workers, $2,500 from IBEW Local 1245 in Vacaville, CA and $503.57 from IBEW Local 357 in Las Vegas.
  • $3,000 from the Nevada State Education Association

Assembly Taxation: Dina Neal

Neal chairs the Assembly Committee on Taxation, which has “jurisdiction over measures affecting state and local revenue and monetary policy.” Last session, this committee heard legislation relating to taxes on live entertainment, mining and fuel.

Top donors:

  • $7,000 from SEATAC Bar Group, a company that operates lounges at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
  • $5,000 from MGM Resorts
  • $5,000 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $5,000 from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association
  • political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $5,000 from the Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $4,000 from Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
  • $4,000 from the Nevada State Education Association
  • $3,000 from Boyd Gaming
  • $2,500 for Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Assembly Transportation: Richard Carrillo

Carrillo chairs the Assembly Committee on Transportation, which has jurisdiction over “measures related to highways, roads, bridges, vehicles, and aeronautics.” Last session, this committee heard legislation relating to mopeds, boating under the influence and bonds for highway construction projects.

Notable transportation contributions:

  • $3,000 from the Nevada Trucking Association
  • $2,000 from Frias Transportation Management, a taxi company
  • $2,000 from the Nevada Auto Dealers Election Action Committee
  • $1,000 from the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers
  • $500 from Desert Cab
  • $500 from Nevada Yellow Cab Corp.
  • $500 from Union Pacific Railroad
  • $500 from Western Cab Company
  • $500 from Whittlesea Blue Cab Co.
  • $250 from Southwest Airlines

Other top donors:

  • $10,250 from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association and its affiliate LVPPA Civilian Employees
  • $12,500 from the Plumbers and Pipefitters, $7,500 from the national union and $5,000 from Local 525 in Las Vegas
  • $5,000 from MGM Resorts
  • $4,000 from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
  • $3,000 from Caesars Entertainment
  • $3,000 from the District Council of Iron Workers
  • $3,000 from the Nevada State Education Association
  • $3,000 from NV Energy

Assembly Ways and Means: Maggie Carlton

Carlton is chairing Assembly Ways and Means, which is in charge of combing through the state budget and is often the gatekeeper for any bills that will cost the state money.

Top donors:

  • $9,000 from Nevada Realtors PAC
  • $8,500 from Citizens for Justice Trust, a political action committee for trial lawyers
  • $5,000 from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association
  • $5,000 from MGM Resorts
  • $5,000 from Switch
  • $5,000 from Fundamental Administrative Services, which lists the same address as the law firm Marquis Aurbach Coffing
  • $5,000 from Laborers for Solid State Leadership
  • $3,500 from Las Vegas Paving
  • $3,500 from Nevada Association of Health Facilities PAC
  • $3,000 from AT&T
  • $3,000 from Cox Communications
  • $3,000 from the Ferraro Group, a lobbying firm
  • $3,000 from the Nevada State Education Association

Riley Snyder and Michelle Rindels contributed to this report.

Disclosure: Several Indy donors are mentioned in this story. You can see a full list of donors here.

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