Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar presided over procedural formalities as well as some pomp and circumstance in the Assembly.
The Carson High School JROTC honor guard presented the colors for the Pledge of Allegiance and the Carson High School Concert Choir performed a rendition of “Home Means Nevada,” inviting everyone to sing along to the state song.
Chief Justice Lidia S. Stiglich administered the oath of office, which was followed by raucous applause and a standing ovation in the Assembly, where some members’ friends and families stood behind them and others sat in packed viewing areas.
In the first order of official business, Assemblyman Steve Yeager (D-Las Vegas) was elected speaker without objection on the first vote — something he thanked the Assembly for during his speech.
Speaker Yeager also gave special recognition to the 14 freshman members as well as 10 members who were sworn in for the first time in 2021, when families weren’t allowed to be present. Standing under a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln, Yeager called for the gathered members to work together for Nevada regardless of their political differences.
Majority Leader Sandra Jauregui (D-Las Vegas) asked members to leave politics on the campaign trail.
“We must dig deep to find the courage to make the right decisions for our state,” she said.
Minority leader P.K. O’Neill (R-Carson City) joined the chorus and called cooperation “the Nevada way.”
During introductions, members with small children were invited to go first. Freshman Assemblywoman Selena La Rue Hatch (R-Reno) held up her young daughter and thanked her for going door to door with her to meet constituents. Another freshman, Assemblyman Bert Gurr (R-Elko), was emotional while introducing his wife and thanking her for helping him get to the chamber.
With the exception of the Caucus Deli inside the building being replaced by food trucks outdoors to accommodate ongoing construction, the day felt like a return to normal after the shake ups of COVID.
Assembly Assistant Majority Whip Selena Torres with State Sen. Fabian Doñate following a press conference with the Nevada Latino Legislative Caucus during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)Senate Assistant Minority Leader Carrie Buck takes a picture with her children during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)The Assembly chambers during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)Members of the Assembly take their oath of office during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)Assemblyman Ken Gray during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)State Sens. Scott Hammond, left, Carrie Buck, second from right, and Dallas Harris, right, speak with State Supreme Court Justice Lidia Stiglich during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)J.J. Goicoechea, director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture, during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)Two members of the Senate sergeant at arms staff push a cart full of flowers during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro with her son Case during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)Nevada Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony, right, during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)Assemblyman Richard McCarthur during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)Sen. James Ohrenschall with his mother, former Nevada Assemblywoman Genie Ohrenschall, and Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)State Sens. Melanie Scheible, Marilyn Dondero Loop and Ira Hansen inside Governor Joe Lombardo's office during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)Governor Joe Lombardo meets with State Sens. Melanie Scheible, Marilyn Dondero Loop and Ira Hansen inside his office during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager after being elected speaker during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, right, and Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)Assemblyman Brian Hibbetts' desk during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)Assembly Assistant Majority Floor Leader
C.H. Miller during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)Assembly Assistant Majority Whip Sarah Peters hugs Assemblyman David Orentlicher during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)
