Advocates Staunchly Oppose Governor Lombardo’s Regressive Crime Bill, Senate Bill 457

CARSON CITY, NV—Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee considered Governor Lombardo’s costly and regressive crime bill, Senate Bill 457 (SB457)—a $42 million proposal that would dismantle decades of reform, expand the prison population, and restrict access to proven diversion programs for veterans and vulnerable communities, all while the state faces a fiscal emergency and looming federal budget cuts.

Athar Haseebullah, Esq., Executive Director, ACLU of Nevada, issued the following statement:

“I wish Nevadans, for once, would get the benefit of being able to review and vet a sweeping bill like SB 457 and its accompanying widespread amendment in advance of the hearing. We’re now left at the end of yet another legislative session with a costly and regressive proposal to expand an already broken criminal legal system. Our state continues to fail on most quality of life indicators, we’re probably headed into a recession, and our criminal legal system is an abject failure, but we’re hearing a bill that would require Nevada taxpayers to subsidize a disaster bill so that politicians who support it can sound “tough-on-crime.” Those who encourage ‘tough-on-crime’ policies without understanding how finite budgets work should realize their constant perpetuation of these broken policies will end up pulling money out of critical sectors. Now would be a great time for lawmakers to pursue being smart over sounding tough.”

Nicholas Shepack, Nevada State Director of Fines and Fees Justice Center, issued the following statement:

“SB457 looks to roll back decades of reform and massively increase both financial and carceral penalties for low-level offenses. While we all want to see businesses thrive in the state, this proposal lacks both evidence and research. Nevada can not afford to turn the clock back on reforms that are working. The reality is that crime is down due to reforms that involved all stakeholders, not just a handful of people behind closed doors. We urge the legislature to continue to rely on facts over feelings and continue to prioritize addressing the root causes of crime instead of failed “tough on crime” policies that bloat our prison system and devastate our communities.”

Paloma M. Guerrero, Clark County Public Defender, issued the following statement:

“Yesterday’s hearing on SB457 made one thing abundantly clear: Governor Lombardo’s sweeping attempt to dismantle Nevada’s progress on criminal justice is not based on data, or stakeholder consensus. It is entirely based on anecdotes and political theater. This bill aims to completely undo AB236, a bipartisan, data-driven reform passed in 2019 after years of study, public engagement, and collaboration from law enforcement, victim advocates, prosecutors, and community leaders. In sharp contrast, SB457 arrived with no public vetting, no supporting data, and no justification for reversing laws that have contributed to lower crime, reduced incarceration, and better use of taxpayer dollars. Nevadans deserve policies that are smart, fair, and fiscally responsible — not rushed retribution masked as reform. We urge our legislators to reject this bill.”

Evelyn Grosenick, Washoe County Public Defender, issued the following statement:

"We have seen no data to support the idea that SB 457 would improve public safety. There is no support for the idea that harsher, longer prison sentences deter future criminal conduct. If anything, studies show that mass incarceration and longer, harsher sentences lead to more recidivism and reduced public safety. This bill will likely lead to increased incarceration, further destabilizing families and exacerbating our behavioral health crisis. Instead of investing in punitive measures, we should focus our time, energy, and resources on evidence-based treatment programs and rehabilitation initiatives."

Denise Bolaños Heredia, Associate Director of Return Strong, issued the following statement:

"Passing SB457 will not solve the problems in our justice system — it will make them worse by funneling more people into a system that is already stretched beyond its limits. Nevada can’t afford to incarcerate more people when we are failing to meet even the most basic needs of those already behind bars."

Quentin Savwoir, President of NAACP Las Vegas, issued the following statement:

“The governor’s effort to roll back the progress we’ve made in criminal justice reform is misguided and ill-informed. Not only does this bill make far-reaching assertions in the name of ‘safety’ it entirely ignores the reality that the reforms that have been made are working; not only are they working, they’re saving our state money. What’s more, data has consistently shown that 1) violent crime is down in Nevada and, 2) we can’t arrest our way out of the socio-economic problems that are at the root of crime in our communities. Why is the governor pursuing a policy that isn’t effective and costs YOU money, while concurrently eliminating the programs that have been proven to be effective and save our state money? Unfortunately, I don’t think Nevadans will get an answer to that question.”

Tara Webster, Policy Manager of Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, issued the following statement:

“The misleadingly named "Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act" doesn’t promote public safety—it fuels fear and proposes costly solutions to an overstated problem. Nevada has experienced a notable decline in crime and recidivism rates, thanks to reforms implemented during the 81st Legislative Session, which made the justice system fairer, more equitable, and more effective. However, Governor Lombardo’s SB457 would reverse this progress by increasing felony charges and incarceration. SB457 is neither evidence-based nor sustainable. True community safety depends on holistically addressing the root causes of crime, such as widespread poverty and insufficient funding for education and mental health services. Instead of increasing incarceration, our focus should be on investing more in our K-12 classrooms, offering free school lunches, developing youth recreational programs, supporting affordable housing, and expanding proven rehabilitation and diversion initiatives that reduce recidivism.”

Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement:

“The governor’s crime bill is the epitome of his political rhetoric. SB457 comes with a hefty price tag and does nothing to solve the real issues facing Nevada communities. At a time when Nevada should be investing in solutions to support our communities, this bill does the opposite—it wastes $42 million to expand a broken system that disproportionately harms veterans, working families, and people struggling with mental health or addiction. We’ve spent years building smarter, more compassionate, and evidence-based alternatives to incarceration. Throwing that progress away now is not only reckless—it’s inhumane.”

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