A Ford win in Nevada's governor race could revive dozens of bills Lombardo vetoed in both 2023 and 2025

What happened

Nevada lawmakers twice passed a bill to cap prescription drug prices at Medicare levels, and Gov. Joe Lombardo twice vetoed it, the Las Vegas Sun reported. The same thing happened to a rent cap for seniors, a ban on people under 21 owning semiautomatic rifles and at least eight other bills the Republican governor rejected in 2023 and again in 2025. Those were part of a state record of 87 vetoes that year.

According to the Sun, if Democrats keep their legislative majorities and Attorney General Aaron Ford defeats Lombardo, Democrats would control the governor's office and both chambers for the first time since January 2023. The Sun said polls show the race tied, with a RealClearPolling average of 42% for each candidate. For more on the incumbent's pitch, see our look at Lombardo's closing strategy.

Bills that could return in February

The Legislature meets Feb. 1 in Carson City. Ford has said he would sign several of the vetoed measures within his first 30 days, including the drug price cap, universal free school meals and limits on corporate home buying, the Sun reported. A vetoed bill does not become law automatically under a new governor; each would have to be reintroduced, debated and passed again during the 120-day session.

Health and drug prices

Assembly Bill 259 (2025) would have capped drug prices at Medicare maximums. Lombardo argued it would raise state costs and that Medicaid could lose millions in drug rebates. Other vetoed health bills included in vitro fertilization coverage (Senate Bill 217), nurse-to-patient ratios in Clark and Washoe county hospitals (Senate Bill 182) and limits on medical debt collection (Assembly Bill 204).

Housing, renters and school meals

Sen. Dina Neal, a North Las Vegas Democrat, sponsored a 2023 bill limiting corporate investors to 1,000 homes a year; her 2025 version cut the limit to 100 but fell one vote short. Assembly Bill 280 (2025) would have capped annual rent increases for seniors at 5% in a pilot program. Lombardo also vetoed Assembly Bill 319 (2023), which would have set aside $43 million for universal free school meals; his office noted about 87% of schools already offer free meals to all students.

Work, elections and guns

Assembly Bill 388 would have required employers with 50 or more workers to offer 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave. Election bills included Assembly Bill 306 on mail ballot drop boxes and Senate Bill 102, which would have made submitting a false slate of presidential electors a crime. Gun bills vetoed twice included the under-21 ban (Assembly Bill 245) and a ban on firearms within 100 feet of polling places (Assembly Bill 105).

Limits Democrats would still face

The Nevada Constitution requires two-thirds of each chamber to pass bills that raise revenue. Democrats hold 13 of 21 Senate seats and 27 of 42 Assembly seats, one short of two-thirds in each, the Sun reported. Even a supermajority would not guarantee unity: some Democrats voted against paid family leave, and Neal joined Republicans against open primaries.

Money is another constraint. Lombardo cited cost in several vetoes, and the Sun noted federal Medicaid changes and a weaker revenue outlook could affect a Ford budget. Hospitals, business groups and landlords opposed key bills, and the under-21 gun ban and drug price cap carry litigation risk.

Lombardo's case for his vetoes

Lombardo says his vetoes protected Nevadans from costly mandates and warns a Democratic sweep would mean higher taxes. He has pledged no new taxes, and his campaign highlights $2 billion in new funding during his term and $183 million for housing. The Sun noted two exceptions: in 2025 he signed Assembly Bill 530, letting the Clark County Commission keep indexing fuel taxes to inflation, and Assembly Bill 96 on urban heat mitigation, both similar to bills he vetoed in 2023.

What to watch next

• The outcome of the governor race between Lombardo and Ford, which polls show as tied. Our guide explains how Nevada election night results arrive.
• Whether Democrats keep their majorities and reach two-thirds in either chamber.
• The 120-day legislative session that begins Feb. 1 in Carson City, where vetoed bills would need to be reintroduced and passed again.
• Possible legal challenges the Sun said the under-21 gun ban and drug price cap could face.