Urges the Federal Government to maintain the moratorium on the testing of explosive nuclear weapons. (BDR R-1102)

2025 Regular Session

AJR 13, a Nevada nonbinding resolution, urges the federal government to keep the moratorium on explosive nuclear weapons testing, citing health, groundwater, and economic risks.

Enrolled and delivered to Secretary of State. File No. 21.

Purpose

AJR 13 is a non‑binding joint resolution by the Nevada Legislature that formally urges the federal government to maintain the existing moratorium on explosive nuclear weapons testing (including underground testing). It expresses Nevada’s opposition to any resumption of explosive nuclear testing and asks that copies of the resolution be transmitted to key federal officials and Nevada’s congressional delegation.

Key provisions

Declares Nevada’s opposition to resuming explosive nuclear weapons testing and urges the Federal Government to maintain the moratorium.

Cites historical context and risks: Nevada National Security Site (formerly Nevada Test Site) hosted 100 atmospheric and 828 underground tests; at least 32 underground “venting” accidents (including the 1970 Baneberry incident) are noted.

Asserts potential harms from resumed testing: airborne releases, groundwater contamination, chronic health effects (cancer, heart disease, neurological and thyroid disorders), seismic tremors (recorded up to 5.7 in Las Vegas), and negative economic impacts (tourism, real estate).

Notes there is no identified technical or military requirement for resumed testing per national laboratory directors, the U.S. Strategic Command commander, and the Secretaries of Defense and Energy.

Points to international considerations (Comprehensive Nuclear Test‑Ban Treaty signatories; risk of encouraging other states to resume testing).

Directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to the President, Vice President (as presiding officer of the Senate), Speaker of the House, U.S. Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Energy, Under Secretary for the NNSA, and each member of Nevada’s Congressional delegation.

Fiscal note: No effect on state or local government finances.

Background and evidence cited

The resolution references NNSS history, public health and compensation statistics (e.g., more than 32,000 “downwinder” claims from atmospheric testing and >27,000 claims under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program), and polling showing bipartisan Nevada support for maintaining the moratorium. Testimony in support from local officials, business groups, and residents is included in the legislative record.

Who is affected

Directly: federal policymakers (the resolution is a statement urging federal action).

Indirectly: Nevada residents—particularly communities near the NNSS (including Nye County communities and the Las Vegas region), the state’s tourism and real‑estate sectors, and former test‑site workers and “downwind” populations concerned about health and environmental impacts.

Procedural / timeline notes

Introduced and printed during 2025 legislative session as AJR 13 (BDR R-1102).

Amendment No. 211 (text refinements and clarifications) was adopted during committee consideration.

Passed the Legislature (unanimous roll calls noted in the record), reprinted with amendments, enrolled, and delivered to the Nevada Secretary of State (File No. 21) on May 27, 2025.

As a joint resolution, AJR 13 is symbolic and advisory rather than legally binding on the federal government.

Bill