The End is Near - For the 81st Legislative Session That is
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May 2021
The End is Near —
For the 81st Legislative
Session That is
By Mary Lau, RAN CEO
S MANY OF RAN’S slightly better opportunity
MEMBERS for input and monitoring.
ALREADY One glaring problem, it
KNOW, THE was late to address the
legislative building opened unheeded initial concerns
mid-April. To be more as bills had already been
accurate I should say sort “heard” in the house of
of opened. The rules were origin.
complicated and vaccine Many bills get last
requirements existed along minute amendments
with COVID 19 testing prior when the sponsor can be
to entry. approached in the building
The complexities of and a problem pointed out.
the Johnson and Johnson Mary Lau That didn’t happen and
vaccine made it even more for appointments. minds were made up.
concerning, even fully Testimony continued Continued on page 2
vaccinated people that to be multi-faceted with
hadn’t passed the “timeline” limited in-person, Zoom (by
also were tested before arrangement) and call in. INSIDE
entering the building. The session remained more
Even then social difficult and fully vetted bills The Signal
distancing and occupancy with detailed information, and the Noise..............2
rates kept lobbyists and by either side, were almost
public to a minimum due impossible. Senate Bill 314............4
to the number of legislators RAN has had some good
bills acknowledged and Mother’s Day
and staff.
Spending to
During the remaining passed; however, some
Total 28.1 Billion.........5
part of April, following the of the most important
Governors relaxation of consumer protection bills Employment Bills
restrictions announced for died by edict – not for lack of Concern to
May, there remained options of votes. See Bryan Wachter’s Businesses...................8
to speak with legislators article on page 4.
depending on their appetite May has provided a
Retail Association of Nevada • www.rannv.org
The Signal and
the Noise By Andy Peterson
P
ANDEMICS NGOs – are working good grasp of things
AND WARS to predict what our like humidity, weather
CHANGE near-term economic patterns, and so forth.
EVERYTHING. future might be. This These types of things
Sometimes those isn’t an aberration. accompanied by the
changes eventually Economists have long advancement of radar
work out for the better. been employed as seers have led weather
Sometimes not. What to the future. Sometimes forecasters to be
many people, however, their suppositions are amongst the most
are likely wondering is dead on, and at other accurate predictors of
what will become of times they wildly miss Andy Peterson things to come.
our economy once the the mark. others prognosticators, Yet, as the Economist
pandemic has receded Academics have including those who Magazine recently
to the point that things long studied the model economics, at pointed out, many
seem similar to February “science” of prediction predicting what might governments recognize
2020. Currently, many and have concluded come next. This is due, they need to get better
economists – employed those who predict the in large part, to the at prediction for reasons
by retailers, banks, weather to be more advancement of science. of national security.
governments, and accurate than many We now have a Continued on next page
The End is Near Continued from page 1
The RAN Matrix for this timelines. COVID19 policy issues because City residents will, more
session will be interesting. wreaked havoc on the of these decisions and than likely, be host to
We should probably LCB staff too. As a result, drafting interruptions. two additional special
consider more columns the major policy decisions We’ve never had major sessions. One to consider
for business unfriendly were not even available policy issues introduced how to spend the
bill introductions and for public viewing until this late, not to mention “Biden Bucks” and one
committee assistance after the 1st legislative multiple issues. How in the fall to consider
points will be slim to none. deadline for bills to does this make for reapportionment. The
The complexity move from the house good public policy and suggested October
of the 81st Legislative of introduction to the avoid the unintended session cannon be held
Session resulted in a lot second house. Legislators consequences of hasty earlier than that as we are
of confusion, back-logs, will have less time to work? waiting for the US Census
amendment difficulties discuss, vet or even What we do know count. ■
and some moved understand the complex is that Nevada’s Carson
2 ◆
www.rannv.org • Retail Association of Nevada
The Signal and the Noise Continued from previous page
Many have formed we may be facing of the country had young men had been
clubs which allow economically. better compliance and sent to war. The most
participants to compete Fortunately for all of suffered less disease and hopeful similarity
in predicting economics, us, the National Bureau death. identified in 1918 and in
pandemics, and any of Economic Research Of most interest, 2021 was the underlying
number of things which has already been however, was the pent-up demand of
might have an impact on studying the similarities economic impacts to consumers who wanted
stability. Participants in of pandemic of 1918 business. Unfortunately, to get back to living their
these clubs are learning to the one in which the authors could only lives as they had prior to
to separate the signal (a we have lived through, identify similarities due the emergence of the
real item that influences and, in a working to different world events pandemic.
events), from the noise paper, has identified which included the first If March’s retail
(a false positive which some similarities and world war. numbers are any
skews the prediction). conclusions. That said, some parts indications (see Retail
Governments have Aside from the newly of the U.S. did better Sales Posted Double-
learned much as a result developed vaccine, than others due to the Digit Gains and
of these clubs. As a quarantine, social transmission of the virus, Dunnhumby Study:
result, it is hoped they distancing and face while others flourished Consumer Confidence
can better predict future coverings were the main due to a lessened threat Rebounding articles in
events. weapons to slow or stop from the virus and the National Notes for more
When thinking about a deadly virus in both economic demands of information), we are
the current pandemic, pandemics. This included supplying the war. likely in for an extended
period of consumer
spending.
Even if we might not
separate the signal from
the noise, its fairly easy to
understand retail is likely
to have a banner year as
consumers emerge from
pandemic self-isolation.
People are tired of
staying home, most
have money to spend,
we want to see our
friends and family,
and shopping is on
it is helpful to look back shuttering of schools, Further complicating the agenda. Stock the
at a similar pandemics businesses, and banning the differences included shelves, get ready, it’s
which may provide large gatherings. a demand for human going to be good. ■
an idea to what might Similarly, some areas resources as many
◆3
Retail Association of Nevada • www.rannv.org
Senate Bill 314 By Bryan Wachter
N
EVADA enterprise. make business information
LEGISLATORS Counterfeit goods public, and no personal
HAD AN cost the United States information would be
OPPORTUNITY economy an estimated disclosed.
to pass legislation which $509 billion dollars each This contact
would have protected year, according to the FBI, information is critical
Nevada consumers from and 97% of retailers have for several reasons. First,
the counterfeit, knockoff experienced organized for the small, local artist
and downright dangerous retail crime in the past year. who had their ideas and
products that are flooding The real victims of this intellectual property
online markets. organized crime are the stolen, they would have an
Senate Bill 314— consumers. In addition to address to send a cease-
which provided consumer the rising cost of goods Bryan Wachter and-desist letter.
protections —had to offset these losses, accidental overdose. The government
bipartisan support and counterfeit products are l Counterfeit departments tasked with
it should have had no a significant concern for cosmetics can cause keeping unsafe products
problem receiving the consumers. severe skin reactions. off the market would be
majority votes needed to The issue of counterfeit Online retailers, or able to track down the bad
pass through the senate goods is prevalent, one in marketplaces, which actors. Consumers could
and move on to the five parents have reported opposed this legislation have peace of mind by
Assembly. their child receiving a resorted to completely being able to check on the
Ultimately, the bill met counterfeit toy as a gift. inaccurate descriptions reputation of the vendors
its fate in Senate Majority l Counterfeit lithium- of the problem and they are purchasing from
Leader Nicole Cannizzaro’s ion laptop batteries pose the solutions in the bill. online.
desk drawer as she chose significant risk of extreme They say individual Etsy This is a common-
to play politics instead of heat, self-igniting, and sellers will have to make sense solution to a
letting a widely supported exploding. their personal contact growing problem. Las
policy come to a vote on l Counterfeit information public. That is Vegas is ranked in the top
the senate floor. prescription drugs may completely untrue. ten areas with the highest
Senate Bill 314 not contain the active This legislation would amounts of organized
would have addressed ingredient or could lead to require bulk sellers to retail crime.
the growing problem of This problem is not
organized retail crime that going away, and the
is taking place in Nevada longer legislators wait
and across the country. to take action, the more
Organized retail crime consumers may be
is not petty shoplifting; harmed both financially
it is two or more people and physically by this
illegally obtaining unregulated market.
substantial quantities of Senator Cannizzaro, that is
products through theft on you. ■
and fraud as part of an
unlawful commercial
4 ◆
www.rannv.org • Retail Association of Nevada
Mother’s Day Spending to
Total $28.1 Billion
NRF
M
OTHER’S DAY All of these activities to the increase in Phil Rist said.
SPENDING will be reflected through Mother’s Day spending. “As we’ve seen with
IS EXPECTED their purchasing These shoppers plan other holiday events,
TO TOTAL A decisions.” to spend $367.08 on a large majority (82
record $28.1 billion this This year consumers average or $99 more than percent) say that as a
year, up $1.4 billion from plan to spend an average last year. result of the pandemic,
2020, according to the of $220.48 on Mother’s These shoppers are celebrating Mother’s
annual survey released Day items. This figure also the most likely to be Day this year is important
by the National Retail is $16 more than they planning gifts of higher to them.”
Federation. Approximately planned to spend last dollar items like jewelry or NRF’s 2020 Mother’s
83 percent of U.S. adults year and the highest in electronics. In addition to Day consumer survey
are expected to celebrate the survey’s history. buying gifts for their own occurred during
the annual holiday. Record spending moms, these shoppers are the height of the
“There is a lot of on gifts of jewelry more likely to be buying government-mandated
consumer for spouses shutdowns. This year over
optimism and other one-third (34 percent)
around recipients like plan to purchase their
Mother’s grandmothers Mother’s Day gifts
Day this or friends. online, down from 2020
year as more This year, when shoppers were
people are nearly half dealing with mandated
getting (49 percent) shutdowns, but still above
vaccinated say they are pre-pandemic levels.
and stimulus planning In addition to
checks a special ordering items online this
are being Mother’s Day year, consumers also plan
distributed,” outing such to shop at department
NRF Presi- as a brunch stores (28 percent),
dent and CEO Matthew and electronics are or other activity. While specialty stores like florists
Shay said. “For many, this the primary drivers of this is up slightly from last or jewelers (26 percent)
is a chance to make up the increase. Jewelry year, it is still below pre- and small businesses (23
for last year’s Mother’s accounts for over half pandemic levels. percent).
Day when we were under (59 percent) of the “Even though The 2021 survey of
lockdown. $1.4 billion increase consumers have indicated 7,818 U.S. adults 18 and
With safety guidelines in spending while a growing comfort with older was conducted
at top of mind, consumers electronics accounts for pre-pandemic activities April 1-9 and has a margin
are planning to be with over one-quarter (28 such as travel or dining of error of plus or minus 1.
family, are making travel percent). out, there is still a lot of percentage points. ■
plans and organizing a Consumers ages 25- uncertainty,” Prosper
special brunch or outing. 34 are also contributing Vice President of Strategy
◆5
Retail Association of Nevada • www.rannv.org
Nevada Notes
SPENDING VOLUMES AT EASTER SEE A REBOUND IN 2021
Retail Association of Nevada
Says Spending Approached $349 Million
Consumers in the Silver in the recently passed popular spending category was cooking a holiday
State kicked off spring American Rescue Plan this year, with 88.0 percent meal, with 59.0 percent
by heading to stores and coupled with increased of survey respondents of celebrants, while 43.0
shopping online for the vaccinations and falling planning to spend a total percent of celebrants
annual Easter celebration. infection rates have $101.5 million in Nevada, planned to visit family or
According to estimates increased consumer according to the NRF. friends in person.
from the Retail Association confidence, resulting Candy came in a close Many celebrants also
of Nevada (RAN), Nevadans in a positive outlook second in popularity (86.0 planned an Easter egg hunt
were expected to spend for spending on events percent), with over $48.7 (31.0 percent), followed
$347.3 million celebrating like Easter. Total Easter million expected to be by other activities such
Easter this year. spending nationwide is spent. as attending church in
The spending estimates expected to reach $21.6 Other popular person (28.0 percent),
are based on a recent billion. categories included gifts browsing the web (25.0
survey by the National “The ongoing (64.0 percent), greeting percent), opening gifts
Retail Federation (NRF), vaccination effort has cards (49.0 percent) and (19.0 percent), shopping
which found that 79.0 many more Nevadans decorations (48.0 percent), online (17.0 percent) and
percent of consumers feeling comfortable getting with consumers statewide shopping in stores (13.0
nationwide planned to together with family and expected to have spent percent).
celebrate the holiday this friends in person once $60.0 million, $17.0 million With the COVID-19
year. again,” said Bryan Wachter, and $23.0 million on these pandemic still ongoing,
According to the NRF, Senior Vice President of items, respectively. many celebrants celebrated
celebrants would spend RAN. “Easter spending Clothing (47.0 percent), Easter virtually, with 24.0
an average of $179.70 volumes are expected to flowers (43.0 percent) and percent of respondents
on holiday items, up 18.8 reach new highs after many miscellaneous items (26.0 indicating they would visit
percent from $151.25 in celebrants missed out on percent) made up the other family or friends virtually
2019. traditional celebrations last major purchase categories. and 22.0 percent noting
New household year.” The most popular that they would attend an
stimulus checks included Food was the most Easter activity for 2021 online church service.
Historical Average Easter Spending
6 ◆
www.rannv.org • Retail Association of Nevada
National Notes
RETAIL SALES last March when 75% said driven changes in shopping PRICES: GOING UP
POSTED DOUBLE-DIGIT the economy was weak. behavior are stabilizing Consumer prices rose
GAINS IN MARCH In addition, 39% of l Walmart continues to 0.6% in March, according
U.S. retail sales grew consumers reported that dominate all stores when it to the Labor Department
by double-digits in March. their finances were poor, comes to value followed by — the sharpest increase in
According to Mastercard as compared to November Kroger and Amazon. nearly nine years. Higher
SpendingPulse, which when 54% reported their For this study, gasoline prices account
measures in-store and finances were poor. Dunnhumby surveyed for nearly half the increase,
online retail sales across all Americans are now at 48,449 respondents online but prices for other
forms of payment, U.S. retail the lowest level of worry in 22 countries across Asia, commodities, and services
sales excluding automotive about the virus (23%) since Europe, Latin America, and were also higher.
and gasoline increased the crisis began and have the U.S. Over the last 12 months,
26.3% year-over-year in dropped nine percentage MMR the depart-ment’s consumer
March, and online sales points since November on price index has risen 2.6%.
grew 56.8% compared to the Dunnhumby Worry CONSUMER Excluding volatile food and
2020. Interestingly, the first Index. CONFIDENCE JUMPS energy prices, inflation was
half of the month had a All and still, consumers TO HIGHEST 0.3% in March and 1.6% over
slow start but in the last half are still concerned with LEVEL IN A YEAR the last year.
retail sales rose 46.9% year- the cost of food, many Consumer confidence The March price
over-year making March a purport they pay more surged in March as increase is somewhat
blockbuster. than they did prior to the Americans grew more exaggerated by the point of
MMR pandemic. This may be optimistic about the comparison. Prices fell a year
reflected in consumers’ economy and labor market. ago, when the pandemic
DUNNHUMBY focus upon value. The Conference Board’s first took hold in the United
STUDY: CONSUMER Among the key findings Consumer Confidence States, dropping 0.4% in
CONFIDENCE from the study: Index rose in March to its March 2020 and another
REBOUNDING l Value-seeking highest reading in a year, 0.8% in April.
Americans, for the first consumers (70%) far outstrip after a modest increase in The jump in prices
time since the pandemic quality-seeking consumers February. The Index now is coming at a time
began, are feeling more (13%) in the U.S. stands at 109.7, up from 90.4 when businesses are still
comfortable regarding l Consumers are in February. struggling to keep pace
personal finances and are utilizing multiple shopping The Present Situation with unexpectedly strong
now prioritizing value over tactics to seek value in the Index—based on demand.
speed when they shop. face of rising prices. Many consumers’ assessment Shoppers are likely
That’s according to shop at stores perceived to of current business and spending more freely as
the seventh wave of the offer value. labor market conditions— pandemic restrictions
Dunnhumby Pulse Survey, a l Online is now a fully climbed from 89.6 to 110.0. ease, helped by $1,400
year-long worldwide study adopted behavior. The Expectations relief payments passed by
of the impact of COVID-19 l The number of Index—based on Congress last month, as well
on customer attitudes online shopping trips is also consumers’ short-term as accumulated savings
and behavior across 22 increasing. outlook for income, from a year of reduced travel
countries. l Consumer business, and labor market and entertainment.
Specifically, 58% of U.S. satisfaction with shopping conditions—also improved, NPR News
consumers reported that online has been ahead of, or from 90.9 last month to
the U.S. economy to be equal to shopping in-store. 109.6 in March.
improving, as compared to l The pandemic- Chain Store Age
◆7Retail Association of Nevada • www.rannv.org
Employment Bills of
ConcernBy McDonald
to Businesses
Carano
AB 47 - Revises provisions unenforceable. This will not actions and alters civil and employer from seeking
relating to employment. apply to contracts entered criminal penalties. Finally, the out or relying on the wage
Status: Passed 27-15 in because of a settlement or bill changes existing law which history of a prospective
Assembly mediation with the Nevada sets forth a time in which employee determine what
Pursuant to current federal Equal Rights Commission. The actions are to commence. the employee will be paid.
law, the Hart-Scott-Rodino amendment will only apply This bill will eliminate these Additionally, it requires
Act requires certain business to contracts or settlement limitations and instead provide employers to disclose upon
transactions to be reported agreements entered on or after that there is no limitation on request of a prospective
to the FTC and Department the effective date of the bill. the time in which such civil employee after their interview,
of Justice to keep watch action or criminal prosecution the minimum wage rate for the
over antitrust violations and AB 61 - Revises provisions is required to be commenced. position the employee applied
ensure a competitive business relating to trade practices. for. The bill authorizes the
market. These reporting Status: EXEMPT. No vote. AB 124 - Revises provisions Labor Commissioner to impose
requirements only kick in when Adds to violations contained relating to employment. an administrative penalty
certain thresholds are met. in Nevada’s Deceptive Trade Status: DEAD against an employer for each
An amended version of AB 47 Practices Act. Under AB 61 Under current Nevada violation and to bring a civil
adds language to NRS 598A it is a deceptive trade to Law, NRS 608.017 prohibits action against the employer.
which requires anyone who engage in price gouging employers from discriminating
is filing pursuant to reporting during a state of emergency against employees on AB 152 - Revises provisions
requirements of the Hart-Scott or declaration of disaster. It is the basis of sex by paying relating to the collection of
Rodino Act to simultaneously also a deceptive trade practice lower wages for equal work certain debts.
file with the Nevada Attorney to use an “unconscionable performed. AB 124 proposes Status: DEAD
General as well. practice” in a transaction¬. to further prohibit employers AB 152 revises existing law
Any violations of the federal from discriminating in the related to debt collection
AB 60 - Makes certain Pallone-Thune Robocall following ways: (1) assigning services. Section 1 of the bill
provisions of contract or Abuse Criminal Enforcement or directing an employee into redefines who is considered
settlement agreement void and Deterrence Act will be a a less favorable position or a “creditor debt collector.” It
and unenforceable. deceptive trade practice under career track based on the sex imposes certain procedural
Status: Passed 42-0 in Nevada law. Lastly, internet of the employee; (2) failing to requirements on debt
Assembly providers and other entities provide certain information collectors who are attempting
Voids certain contract that handle personal, non- relating to promotions or to collect a debt by phone
provisions. If a contract or public information are held advancement based on or mail, including special
settlement agreement contains to certain requirements to the sex of the employee; or rules for hospital creditors.
a provision that attempts to ensure privacy. Any violation (3) limiting or depriving an Assemblywoman Krasner and
restrict a witness’s ability to of those requirements will be employee of an employment the NV Justice Association
testify against the contracting considered a deceptive trade opportunity that would proposed an amendment
parties’ commission of criminal practice. This bill also extends otherwise be available if not that would place the above
conduct or sexual harassment, certain powers to the Attorney for the sex of the employee. provisions into a new chapter
the provision will be void and General to prosecute these The bill also prohibits an Continued on next page
8 ◆www.rannv.org • Retail Association of Nevada
Employment Bills Continued from previous page
under Nevada’s Deceptive AB 222 - Revises provisions AB 291 - Revises provisions SB 107 - Makes various
Trade Practices Act. The governing employment governing noncompetition changes relating to the
amendment would expand practices. covenants. statute of limitations for
prohibitions on debt Status: Passed 26-16 Status: DEAD certain causes of action.
collection agencies. It would AB 222 provides additional This bill extends noncompete Status: Passed 16-5 in Senate
require debt collectors to whistleblower protections. protections to independent Extending the statute of
obtain verification of the Whistleblowers who report contractors. Therefore, if the limitations for a wrongful
debt before attempting to in good faith to appropriate noncompete is not supported termination action. Currently,
collect. The amendment also authorities, whether internal by valuable consideration, there is no codified statute
imposes certain restrictions or external to the employer, imposes a restraint on trade of limitations for wrongful
for consumers applying for will be protected under the greater than necessary, termination actions, but
credit. Finally, it provides law. These protections extend imposes a hardship on the Nevada Supreme Court
for cumulative remedies to employees who request the employee, or imposes has previously interpreted
that would be available for correction or refuse to engage restrictions that are not wrongful termination to be
violations under this section. in the at issue conduct. appropriate in relation to the analogous to a personal injury
This bill also provides that consideration the noncompete action and has therefore
AB 190 - Provides certain where an employee makes will be unenforceable against applied a two (2) year statute
employees with the right prima facie showing in a civil independent contractors. The of limitation. If enacted, SB 107
to use sick leave to assist action that the discharge same applies if the termination would extend the statute of
certain family members was made in retaliation, the is due to a reduction in limitation to four (4) years for
with medical needs. burden shifts to the employer force or reorganization— wrongful termination actions.
Status: Passed 30-12 in to demonstrate that the independent contractors’ Additionally, Section 2 of SB
Assembly employee engaged in other noncompete contract will only 107 provides a default four
AB 190 mandates employers conduct that resulted in the be enforceable the during the (4) year statute of limitations
who provide paid or unpaid employee’s discharge. time the employer is paying to all actions not specified by
sick to their employees, to Lastly, the bill revises the contractors salary. law, regardless of whether the
allow employees to use provisions relating to the action is analogous to another
their sick leave to assist an statute of limitations and AB 303 - Removes certain cause of action listed in NRS
immediate family member tolling periods. exceptions relating to Chapter 11. Finally, the bill
to the same extent that certain requirements for will not be retroactive, which
would apply to the employee AB 289 - Revises provisions paid leave. means the latest provisions will
taking the leave. The bill relating to deceptive trade only apply to actions filed on
allows employers to limit practices. Existing law requires employers or after the effective date of
this type of sick leave to not Status: DEAD to provide a specified amount this bill.
less than the amount that This bill makes it a deceptive of paid leave and exempts
the employee has accrued trade practice for an employees who are governed SB 199 - Prohibits certain
during a 6-month period. interactive computer service by collective bargaining types of racial discrimination
The bill directs the Labor that represents itself as agreements, other contracts, in employment and
Commissioner to prepare content-neutral or viewpoint- policies or agreements, This education.
a bulletin explaining these neutral from restricting bill maintains the exception Status: DEAD
requirements, and the or removing the content for collective bargaining SB 199 amends existing law to
bulletin must be posted or expression of a user or agreements, but removes the provide additional protections
by employers who provide restricting or removing the exemption for other contracts, against discrimination relating
sick leave. The Labor user from the interactive policies or agreements thereby, to race. The bill redefines race
Commissioner will have the computer service. It provides requiring employers to comply to include “ancestry, color,
authority to enforce the an exemption if the act was with paid leave provisions for ethnic group dentification,
provisions of this bill. performed in good faith. these types of employees. Continued on page 11
◆9Retail Association of Nevada • www.rannv.org
Important Information for SIG Members
NRS requires all existing members of a self-insured group to be notified of all new members.
NRNSIG new members are listed below.
4K Artistic Metals LLC
Christopher Homes LLC
Desert Squad Pest & Wildlife Inc.
Green Thumb Lawn Service
Maximed Healthcare
Natalie Malik Inc dba Talle Jane Interiors
NV Occupational Health Care
Fun Facts about May
It is the third and last month of the season of spring.
The birthstone of May, the emerald, symbolizes success and love.
May in the Northern Hemisphere is similar to November in the Southern Hemisphere.
May was once considered a bad luck month to get married.
NRNSIG members who wish to register a negative vote on a new group member, please write NRNSIG at
575 S. Saliman Road, Carson City, NV 89701, indicating which member and the reason(s) for the negative vote.
“Workers’ comp that works for you”
Retail Association of Nevada
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION: Find out more about RAN’s self insured group. Call Pro Group, 800-859-3177,
10 ◆ the RAN office at 775-882-1700 (toll free in Nevada 800-690-5959). Don’t forget to check out our website, www.
orwww.rannv.org • Retail Association of Nevada
Employment Bills Continued from page 9
ethnic background and additional reasons employees certain employers from SB 399 – Establishes
traits historically associated may take paid leave. Under seeking wage or salary provisions relating to
with race, including, without this bill, private employers history from an applicant employment.
limitation, hair texture must allow employees to for employment, relying on Status: DEAD
and protective hairstyles.” use their paid leave for wage or salary history to Requires corporations with
Protective hairstyles include the treatment of a mental determine the rate of pay over 500 or more employees
without limitation “braids, or physical illness, injury, for an applicant, refusing to to submit a report to the
locks and twists.” These new treatment of a mental or interview, hire or promote Secretary of State that
definitions will be applied to physical illness, injury or health an applicant based on indicates the number of
employers who are already condition, receiving medical their refusal to provide people who serve on its board
prohibited from discriminating diagnosis or care, receiving salary history. However, if of directors and the number
in their employment practices preventative care, receiving the disclosure is voluntary of those board members who
on the basis of race, and a vaccination–including a the employer can use that are female. The bill mandates
school busses that are vaccination for Covid-19, information to determine the that this information be made
prohibited from advertising participating in caregiving, applicants pay rate. Violations available on the Office of the
attacks on group based on or addressing other personal will result in administrative Secretary of State website. It
characteristics associated needs related to the health of penalties, and Complaints requires qualified employers
with race. Existing law which that employee. will be filed with the Nevada to complete an annual
prohibits cyber bullying will Equal Rights Commissioner. report containing the same
incorporate the new definition SB 245 - Makes changes information and submit that
of race to provide for safe regarding employment. SB 386 – Revises provisions report to the Governor and
learning environments for Status: Passed 21-0 in Senate relating to certain Director of the Legislative
children. Charter schools and Existing law gives employees businesses. Counsel Bureau.
certain universities which are certain remedies when an Status: EXEMPT This bill also requires
prohibited from engaging employer fails to pay wages Employers of certain the Employment Security
in discriminatory practices within a set amount of employees who do not Division of the Department
related to race will adopt this time after the employees’ have collective bargaining of Employment, Training
new definition. Finally, the bill termination or resignation. agreements and who were and Rehabilitation to submit
prohibits a dress code policy This bill revises the definition discharged, laid off or annually to the Nevada
that requires students to wear of “wages” to include amounts furloughed under certain Equal Rights Commission
uniforms that discriminate on due to certain former conditions may be required each employer who had
the basis of race as redefined employees that employers to offer job positions to one or more employees
by the bill. failed to pay on time prior. those employees. This will receive unemployment
It allows the employee to allow employees in specific benefits during the previous
SB 209 – Revises provisions file a claim with the Labor circumstances to have the calendar year along with
relating to employment. Commission and requires the opportunity to return to other information related to
Status: Passed 19-2 in Senate Labor Commissioner to take their jobs. The bill lays out those benefits. The bill then
SB 209 specifies circumstances certain actions regarding lost procedural requirements requires the Commission to
under which employees may wages. for employers of employees review the information to see
take paid leave. Currently, the who meet the circumstances if employers are engaging
law allows employees to take SB 293 – Revises provisions outlined under the bill. in unlawful employment
paid leave without providing a relating to employment. The majority of employees practices with regard to wages
reason to their employer. This Status: Passed 17-4 in Senate who fall into this category or termination of employees.
bill does not change existing Adds to Nevada’s unlawful are within the hospitality
law, but instead provides trade practices by prohibiting industry.
◆ 11PRESORTED
STANDARD
Retail Association of Nevada U.S. POSTAGE PAID
410 South Minnesota Street RENO, NV
Carson City, Nevada 89703-4272 PERMIT NO. 931
Retail Association of Nevada
NEVADA NEWS
Nevada News is published by the Retail Association of
Nevada, a nonpartisan, nonprofit corporation
founded in 1969 representing the Retail Community,
the Chain Drug Council and the Grocery Industry Council.
Mary F. Lau
President/CEO
Bryan Wachter
Senior Vice President of
Public and Government Affairs
Elizabeth MacMenamin
Vice President of Government Affairs
Andy Peterson
Vice President of Government Affairs
Piper Brown
Director,
Finance and Administration
Andy Peterson
Editor
Sue Arzillo, Alphabet Soup Inc.
Newsletter Design & Layout
Retail Import Surge
Expected Through Summer
T
HE Federation and Hackett saved by staying home cargo rebounded and
UNPRECE- Associates. for the better part of a hit a then-record 2.1
DENTED “We’ve never seen year, consumers have million TEU in August as
SURGE imports at this high money in their pockets the economy reopened,
of imports at retail a level for such an and they’re spending it eventually peaking
container ports that extended period of with retailers as fast as at 2.21 million TEU in
began last summer is time,” NRF Vice President retailers can stock their October. Under the
expected to continue for Supply Chain and shelves.” current forecast, volume
at least through the Customs Policy Jonathan Imports hit their is expected to remain at
end of this summer as Gold said. “Records have lowest point in four or above the 2 million
retailers work to meet been broken multiple years last March – 1.37 TEU mark for 11 out of 13
increased consumer times and near-record million Twenty-Foot months by this August.
demand, according to numbers are happening Equivalent Units – as the Before 2020, monthly
the monthly Global Port almost every month. economic effects of the imports had reached 2
Tracker report released Between federal stimulus coronavirus pandemic million TEU only once, in
by the National Retail checks and money began to take hold. But October 2018. ■You can also read
