Thanks to all those who tuned into our Senate Bill 4 signing video conference today! If you didn't get a chance to tune in, here are some highlights:
For those wondering why #SB4 was proposed in the special session, let me be blunt: NV’s economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 public health crisis is real & it is significant. The situation we now face was previously unimaginable, but it's our reality....
As your Governor, I knew it was my job to do everything in my power - working with businesses, workers, and elected leaders - to find solutions. Unprecedented times call for extraordinary measures....
This bill isn’t about economic expansion – it's about our State’s economic survival. It’s about acknowledging that Nevada relies heavily on a single industry – the hospitality industry – and in order to make it through this historic storm, we must ensure it survives.
No other state in the country is as dependent on the travel & tourism industry as NV. We also know that COVID-19 brought tourism to a standstill, creating an all-consuming economic crisis, in addition to the public health crisis.
What happened when our largest industry came to a standstill as a result of this pandemic?
- Historic state budget shortfall of $1.2b
- In April & May, 130,000 jobs were lost in the accommodations & food service industry
The results were devastating...
- Historic state budget shortfall of $1.2b
- In April & May, 130,000 jobs were lost in the accommodations & food service industry
The results were devastating...
This serves as proof that travel & tourism employees are absolutely critical to Nevada’s economy and it’s survival. Without them, our hotels and resorts are absent of the hospitality component that makes Nevada one of the top tourism destinations in the world.
Senate Bill 4 is first in the nation legislation that will institute important worker protections in the hospitality industry. They are the culmination of months of conversations @Culinary226 had with workers. Great work can be achieved when the industry and workers get together.
Additionally, to ensure that these workers have jobs to go to every day, this bill also helps protect our businesses in the industry from unwarranted harm, as long as they substantially follow these health and safety standards.
Finally, this bill not only protects Nevadans who work in the hospitality industry and those who manage the industry, but it helps Nevada businesses as a whole. That’s another reason why I’m proud to sign this piece of legislation today...
This bill protects small businesses from frivolous litigation as long as the businesses are following the State’s directives and the health and safety protocols. I appreciate the support and work of the @lvchamber in these efforts to ensure Nevada’s businesses are protected.
This bill doesn't provide total immunity to all businesses under all circumstances. Those inevitable bad actors that ignore our directives & published health/safety protocols will not be protected from liability for those failures. They will continue to face legal consequences
This legislation does not create an impenetrable shield for businesses who fail to protect their employees, customers, visitors, and, importantly, hard working Nevadans.
Finally, the protections in this bill will also send a powerful message to our visitors that they can take advantage of all of the wonderful amenities our great State has to offer in a safe environment -- all thanks to these increased health and safety standards.
Nevada: our economic crisis is real, and #SB4 is a great example of how the people of this State -- business owners and workers -- have united in the midst of a historic crisis to protect workers, jobs & our fragile economy. We will get through this...together.
