Nevada legislators and conservation groups this week stood up for policies they say will help lower energy bills, protect the outdoors and grow the state's economy.

Kristee Watson, executive director of the Nevada Conservation League, said NCL is working to hold utility monopolies such as NV Energy and Southwest Gas accountable. A recent survey found that almost 90% of respondents agree that both utility companies must do more to keep bills affordable.

Watson said Nevada families are crunching numbers to cover expenses.

"It is our job to show up and tell our legislators that we're going to advocate for ourselves and the rest of everyday Nevadans," she said. "Times are tough, the fight is hard, I am frustrated, I am exhausted, I know all of us are. But this is also a worthwhile fight."

Watson said they're advocating for legislation to create ratepayer protections to ensure utilities spend customer dollars wisely and responsibly. Meanwhile, companies such as NV Energy and Southwest Gas have contended they're forced to raise rates to ensure all Nevadans receive quality service. NV Energy says it uses grants and other payment options to reduce consumer costs. Earlier this year, the company asked the state's Public Utility Commission to increase its base-rate charges.

Assemblyman Howard Watts, D-Las Vegas, called conservation and clean energy "quality of life issues." He said now is the time to address issues such as excessive heat, drought and wildfires by unlocking the potential of renewables. That's why he's sponsoring Assembly Bill 458, also known as the Solar-Power Affordable Housing bill, which he said "will expand the use of rooftop solar power in affordable-housing communities. These are residents who are dealing with these issues every day, but unfortunately they've been locked out from the benefits that solar energy can provide."

AB 458 awaits action in the Committee on Growth and Infrastructure.

Assemblyman Steve Yeager, D-Las Vegas, sponsored the bill that led to the creation of the Nevada Outdoor Education and Recreation Grant Program. He said the initiative provides outdoor experiences for Nevada students, and that continued support is vital.

"This grant is about equity and sustainability," he said. "It is about making sure that future generations inherit not just the beauty of Nevada's outdoors but the ability to enjoy it safely and responsibly."

A new bill to make car shopping more transparent goes before the California Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday.

Senate Bill 766 would require dealers to disclose the full "out-the-door" price before a purchase. The legislation is meant to prevent people from getting tricked by offers that require certain add-ons.

Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, is its sponsor.

"People need to be able to really understand what they're spending," Allen contended. "Some car dealers, you walk in and you're basically upsold - folks, they've ended up spending a lot more than they thought they were going to spend when they walked into the dealership."

The bill would require car dealers to tell consumers when an add-on is optional and it would require them to get customer approval before any add-ons. The Biden administration tried to put the rule in place nationally last December but a judge invalidated the attempt. The Trump administration is not expected to revive it.

The California Chamber of Commerce opposes new regulations on dealerships, saying they would lead to more lawsuits against car dealers and increased costs for consumers. Allen stressed he hopes the bill will do the opposite.

"By giving consumers some extra time and having greater transparency about what exactly they're spending, it'll reduce the likelihood for folks to file litigation to remedy the issue," Allen argued.

The bill would also give customers who bought a used car three days to return a vehicle for a full refund, with a small restocking fee.


get more stories like this via email

Arizona lawmakers are considering a bill to prevent cryptocurrency scams and regulate what are known as "crypto kiosks."

Brendon Blake, AARP Arizona's director of advocacy, said these kiosks, often found inside businesses or malls, allow folks to convert cash into Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Blake said the scams often start over the phone, when scammers pressure people to get cash and then deposit the money at a kiosk.

Blake said crypto's decentralized nature makes it difficult to track where the deposit ends up.

"The majority of experts believe the money is being sent overseas to large criminal enterprises or just to scammers that are overseas," he said. "We are seeing people lose tons of money. Last year, we saw $189 million be moved via cryptocurrency ATMs that were as a result of scams."

Blake said House Bill 2387 focuses on prevention, restitution and security. He added that the majority of victims are people older than 60 - likely because the demographic has easier access to larger amounts of savings, and scammers exploit a lack of awareness of how cryptocurrency works.

For those who think they've fallen victim to a crypto scam, he said, it's vital to report it to local authorities. He added that sometimes, refunds are possible.

Blake added the state is fighting for a daily limit on how much money can be deposited into a "crypto kiosk." The bill also aims to make warning signs at kiosks mandatory.

"We believe that these machines and these companies have a responsibility to do fraud prevention," he said, "and so, we do have warnings and disclosures in the bill that they have to display."

Blake said the bill has had little opposition and that some in the crypto industry are supporting it. He called HB 2387 the "opening attempt" at trying to protect Arizonans from crypto scams.

"And if we've got to come back and figure out more, 'Hey this didn't exactly work, we've got to tweak this,' AARP is endlessly committed to making sure that we got something right," he said.

Blake said the bill still needs a Senate floor vote before heading back to the House. If it passes, it would head to Gov. Katie Hobbs' desk.

Insurance premiums have gone up a lot and according to a new report, Arizona is one of the states where homeowners are being hit hardest.

The Consumer Federation of America's latest report found from 2021 to 2024, annual insurance premiums for a typical Arizona homeowner increased by more than $700.

Diane Brown, executive director of the Arizona Public Interest Research Group, called the situation dire and fears the severity and increasing frequency of wildfires plaguing the state could only exacerbate the problem. She called the report "a wake-up call for consumers and policymakers across the nation."

"Policymakers should recognize it is no accident that wildfires are contributing to increased insurance costs," Brown urged. "And should not accept claims by the utilities that they should be left off the hook for basic legal responsibility."

Arizona lawmakers are currently debating a bill to protect utilities from wildfire-related lawsuits and could have the unintended consequence of shifting the burden of wildfire claims from utilities onto homeowners' insurers.

Brown argued the approach is wrong and if found negligent, utilities should have to cover costs to those affected. Many Arizonans have seen their rates skyrocket this year or have been dropped from coverage altogether as insurance companies try to recover losses.

Doug Heller, director of insurance for the Consumer Federation of America, pointed out there is not a "strong culture of rate review in Arizona." He said insurance companies will take advantage of the places in which advantage is allowed.

"Arizona needs to step up and be more aggressive in its inspection of the insurance companies' rates," Heller emphasized. "In Arizona, as in other parts of the West, to be honest, it's all around the country, the wildfire risk has increased with climate change, there is no question about that."

Heller added it is going to take a "concerted effort" to get things on the right track. The report recommended requiring insurance companies to release data on pricing, coverage and claims annually, for federal and state governments to expand grant-based and loan risk mitigation programs as well as the creation of a "reinsurance program" to stabilize the market.

Experts advised homeowners to shop around for the best rates and also maintain homes by utilizing vital fire-reduction measures.


get more stories like this via email