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Bill

AB 123

Revises provisions relating to elections communications. (BDR 24-733)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Reuben D'Silva and 9 co-sponsors

AB 123 makes threats or intimidation toward political candidates illegal, triggers SOS probe with AG referral, and classifies first offense as misdemeanor, later offenses as gross misdemeanor.

Chapter 517.
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Bill Summary · AB 123

AB 123 — Elections Communications (BDR 24-733) — Summary

Status: Enacted (Chapter 517, 2025). Introduced: January 2025. Sponsor: Assemblymember Hanadi Nadeem (with listed cosponsors).

Purpose / Intent

AB 123 creates a statutory offense specifically addressing threats and intimidation directed at candidates for public office, and establishes an administrative reporting and investigative role for the Secretary of State with referral authority to the Attorney General. The bill is framed as protecting the safety of candidates and preserving the integrity of political discourse.

Key provisions

  • New criminal prohibition (NRS chapter amendment):

    • Makes it unlawful for a person to directly or indirectly address any threat or intimidation to a candidate for public office if:
    • The person knows or has reason to know the communication conveys an intent (immediate or future) to cause or induce another to cause bodily injury to the candidate or a known family member, or to cause physical damage to their property; and
    • The communication is made in a manner that places the recipient in reasonable fear that the threat will be carried out.
    • Explicit carve‑out: does not prohibit constitutionally protected speech, including political hyperbole.

  • Reporting and investigatory process:

    • A candidate who believes they are the subject of such a prohibited threat may notify the Secretary of State in writing.
    • The Secretary of State must investigate; if reasonable suspicion exists, the Secretary must, as soon as practicable, refer the matter to the Attorney General for potential prosecution.
    • After the investigation concludes, the Secretary of State must issue a written report to the candidate describing the alleged violation, investigation results, and, if applicable, the outcome of any referral to the Attorney General.

  • Penalties:

    • First offense — misdemeanor.
    • Second or subsequent offense — gross misdemeanor.

Who is affected

  • Primary: candidates for public office who receive threats or intimidation.
  • Potential defendants: any person who communicates prohibited threats or intimidation toward candidates.
  • Administrative burden: Secretary of State’s office (investigations, reporting).
  • Prosecutorial jurisdiction: Attorney General for determination of enforcement.
  • Local governments: fiscal note indicates increased potential for jail terms (local detention), since the bill creates misdemeanor/gross misdemeanor penalties.

Procedural / timeline highlights

  • Introduced January 2025. Passed both houses in June 2025. Approved by the Governor and chaptered as Chapter 517 (2025). The enacted text reflects amendments added during committee and floor consideration (see enacted Sections 2–3 for final wording and Secretary of State procedures).

Public comment / controversy

  • Supporters argued the measure protects candidate safety and deters intimidation in political campaigns.
  • Opponents raised that existing Nevada statutes (e.g., NRS 200.571 on harassment) already criminalize threats, and expressed concerns about redundancy, vagueness, potential chilling effects on political speech, and constitutional limits (referencing U.S. Supreme Court precedents on “true threats”).

If you would like, I can provide the exact statutory text added by the bill, compare it side‑by‑side with NRS 200.571, or summarize key legislative amendments adopted during the bill’s floor and committee stages.

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

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