Environment (Waste Management)

AB 486 increases the fee on new tires from $1 to $2 per tire. Tire sellers must collect this fee, send 95% of it to the state for the Solid Waste Management Account, and split the remaining 5% between the Wildlife Crossings Account and administrative costs. The Wildlife Crossings Account funds projects like wildlife overpasses or underpasses to reduce animal-vehicle collisions and protect migration routes. This affects tire sellers, purchasers, and state transportation projects focused on wildlife safety. The bill directly changes how tire fees support wildlife crossing infrastructure.

AB 493 requires that propulsion batteries (used in electric vehicles) be disposed of through specialized recyclers, not in regular landfills, and mandates labeling with provider contact information. Battery providers must ensure battery health data is accessible, and recyclers, secondary handlers, and providers must report disposal activities to the state environmental agency. These rules apply to all propulsion batteries sold in the state, affecting manufacturers, recyclers, and auto wreckers handling electric vehicle batteries. The bill also prohibits landfill disposal and sets reporting requirements for waste management compliance.

AB 414 requires employers at qualifying "large hybrid environment facilities" (defined as 10,000+ square feet where workers face outdoor elements >50% of shifts) with over 15 employees to add specific air quality protections to their written safety programs. Key provisions mandate turning off vehicle engines during loading/unloading (except refrigerated units), monitoring air quality every 4 hours, and implementing ventilation if unsafe levels are detected. Exemptions cover law enforcement, emergency responders, waste management, towing services, and state agencies. The bill was passed by both chambers in June 2025 but was vetoed by the Governor on June 11, 2025, preventing it from becoming law.

AB 40 revises Nevada's environmental regulations for mining reclamation and solid waste management. It updates definitions to require stabilization of process fluids during mining operations (Section 13), expands the Division of Environmental Protection's authority to issue compliance orders and place liens on property (Sections 10-11), and clarifies how federal plans interact with state requirements for permits (Section 18). The bill also revises solid waste management definitions to include recycling (Section 28.3), requires detailed reclamation plans for mining (Section 17), and updates landfill permit rules to prohibit hazardous waste acceptance (Section 32). These changes directly affect mining operators, waste management facilities, and state agencies administering environmental permits. The bill passed both chambers and was signed into law on June 3, 2025.