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AB 18

Revises provisions relating to the electronic filing of certain documents. (BDR 5-469)

2025 Regular Session

Requires NEFCR electronic signatures on electronically filed court documents, replacing 'image of' handwritten signatures; aligns e-filing rules and affects prosecutors, clerks.

Chapter 9.
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Bill Summary · AB 18

AB 18 — Electronic Signatures for Court e‑Filed Documents (BDR 5‑469)

Purpose

AB 18 updates Nevada statutes to require that certain court documents filed electronically contain an electronic signature (as defined by Nevada Supreme Court rules) rather than an “image of” a handwritten signature. The change aligns statutory language with the Nevada Electronic Filing and Conversion Rules (NEFCR) and modernizes statutory e‑filing requirements.

Key provisions

  • Amends the following Nevada Revised Statutes to replace the phrase “an image of” a signature with “the electronic signature”:
    • NRS 62D.400 (certain juvenile/district attorney petitions and reports)
    • NRS 171.103 (electronically filed complaints)
    • NRS 173.049 (electronically filed informations)
    • NRS 178.591 (electronic service and filings of motions, notices and other legal documents)
    • NRS 432B.515 (child welfare petitions and reports)
  • Specifies that “electronic signature” has the meaning given in the Nevada Electronic Filing and Conversion Rules (NEFCR).
  • Retains existing provisions about electronic time stamps, conversion to printed documents, service rules, and filing timestamps (e.g., filings served or filed by 11:59 p.m. are deemed filed that day).
  • No amendments were proposed in committee.

Documents affected

Examples include:
- Prosecuting attorney complaints and informations
- District attorney petitions under various chapters cited
- Motions, notices, and other legal documents submitted electronically
- Reports and petitions in juvenile and child protection proceedings

Who is affected

  • Prosecutors, district attorneys and the Attorney General (when e‑filing)
  • Court clerks and court staff handling e‑filing and time‑stamping
  • Attorneys whose offices receive electronically served documents
  • Litigants and parties in proceedings that permit electronic filing

Procedural status and effective date

  • Introduced / prefiled: November–December 2024
  • Sponsor: Assembly Committee on Judiciary (on behalf of the Nevada Supreme Court)
  • Passed both houses; enrolled and delivered to Governor May 23, 2025
  • Approved by Governor: May 26, 2025
  • Chaptered: Chapter 9 (May 27, 2025)
  • Effective: upon passage and approval (i.e., upon the Governor’s signature)

Fiscal impact

  • The Assembly Judiciary committee fiscal notes: No effect on state or local government.

Notes

  • The bill’s substantive change is largely terminological and harmonizing: it clarifies that filings must use the NEFCR‑defined electronic signature standard rather than requiring an image file of a handwritten signature. This should improve consistency with court e‑filing rules and may support better security, authentication and interoperability in e‑filing systems.

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

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