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AB 85

Authorizes the management of designated invertebrates. (BDR 45-229)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Howard Watts

AB 85 would empower NDOW to designate and fully protect certain non-pest invertebrates as wildlife, enabling coordinated conservation and enforcement actions.

(No further action taken.)
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Bill Summary · AB 85

Summary — AB 85 (BDR 45-229)

Title: Authorizes the management of designated invertebrates.
Sponsor: Assemblymember Watts
Introduced: December 20, 2024
Status: No further action taken (last action recorded June 3, 2025)

Purpose / Intent

AB 85 would close a statutory gap by allowing the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) and the Board of Wildlife Commissioners to manage selected invertebrate species as “wildlife.” The measure is framed to support proactive conservation of pollinators and other invertebrates of conservation concern (e.g., monarch butterflies, native bees, springsnails) to maintain ecosystem services and avoid federal Endangered Species Act listings.

Key provisions

  • Defines “designated invertebrate” as any species of invertebrate designated as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). The term explicitly excludes “pests” (as defined in NRS 555.005).
  • Adds “designated invertebrates” to Nevada’s statutory definition of “wildlife.”
  • Creates a formal wildlife classification for designated invertebrates and requires the Commission to classify species by regulation.
  • Requires NDOW, in preparing the State Wildlife Action Plan, to coordinate with the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) and to consider the Nevada Managed Pollinator Protection Plan.
  • Allows designated invertebrates to be placed on the list of “fully protected species” if criteria are met; fully protected species cannot be taken, removed, or destroyed except by special permit.
  • Extends applicable wildlife-related fees, penalties and enforcement provisions to actions involving designated invertebrates (and thus may create criminal/penal consequences for violations).
  • Legislative procedural note: bill language (as reprinted) requires a two‑thirds majority vote for final passage for specified sections.

Who is affected / anticipated impacts

  • NDOW and Board of Wildlife Commissioners: new authorities, duties, and regulatory responsibilities to include certain invertebrates in conservation programs.
  • Nevada Department of Agriculture: formal coordination role and consideration of its pollinator plan; NDA successfully proposed language excluding pests.
  • Landowners, farmers, pesticide applicators, conservation organizations, researchers: may be affected by new protections, permitting requirements, and interagency conservation actions.
  • Conservation stakeholders (e.g., Xerces Society, The Nature Conservancy, university scientists) supported the bill as enabling proactive management of pollinators and other at-risk invertebrates.

Fiscal / legal implications

  • Fiscal note entries indicate an effect on the state and a potential local government impact (the reprint notes “Increases or Newly Provides for Term of Imprisonment in County or City Jail or Detention Facility”).
  • Inclusion of invertebrates subjects relevant conduct to existing wildlife statutes and penalties (referenced NRS sections in bill text).

Procedural history (selected)

  • Prefiled Dec 9, 2024; introduced Dec 20, 2024.
  • Referred to Natural Resources Committee; hearings set and later postponed/canceled at author’s request.
  • Amended (Amendment No. 260) and reprinted; amendment added coordination requirement with NDA, excluded pests, and retained 2/3 vote requirement for certain sections.
  • Referred to Ways & Means; engrossed and first reprint issued April 22, 2025.
  • Final recorded status: No further action taken (as of June 3, 2025).

Practical effect if enacted

AB 85 would enable NDOW to lead state-level conservation planning and on-the-ground actions for non‑pest invertebrates identified as conservation priorities, while requiring coordination with agriculture to reduce conflicts with pest management. It would expand regulatory protection and enforcement tools available for vulnerable invertebrate species in Nevada.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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