Members of the Assembly, including Assemblyman P.K. O’Neil, center left, take their oath of office during the first day of the 82nd legislative session in Carson City on Feb. 6, 2023.
David Calvert/The Nevada Independent
The Legislature gaveled in to its 82nd session on Monday, a return to normalcy after the 2021 session was marked by COVID restrictions and a scaled-back opening ceremony.
Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar presided over procedural formalities as well as some pomp and circumstance in the Assembly.
The Carson High School JROTC honor guard presented the colors for the Pledge of Allegiance and the Carson High School Concert Choir performed a rendition of “Home Means Nevada,” inviting everyone to sing along to the state song.
Chief Justice Lidia S. Stiglich administered the oath of office, which was followed by raucous applause and a standing ovation in the Assembly, where some members’ friends and families stood behind them and others sat in packed viewing areas.
In the first order of official business, Assemblyman Steve Yeager (D-Las Vegas) was elected speaker without objection on the first vote — something he thanked the Assembly for during his speech.
Speaker Yeager also gave special recognition to the 14 freshman members as well as 10 members who were sworn in for the first time in 2021, when families weren’t allowed to be present. Standing under a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln, Yeager called for the gathered members to work together for Nevada regardless of their political differences.
Majority Leader Sandra Jauregui (D-Las Vegas) asked members to leave politics on the campaign trail.
“We must dig deep to find the courage to make the right decisions for our state,” she said.
Minority leader P.K. O’Neill (R-Carson City) joined the chorus and called cooperation “the Nevada way.”
During introductions, members with small children were invited to go first. Freshman Assemblywoman Selena La Rue Hatch (R-Reno) held up her young daughter and thanked her for going door to door with her to meet constituents. Another freshman, Assemblyman Bert Gurr (R-Elko), was emotional while introducing his wife and thanking her for helping him get to the chamber.
With the exception of the Caucus Deli inside the building being replaced by food trucks outdoors to accommodate ongoing construction, the day felt like a return to normal after the shake ups of COVID.
This story was first published Feb. 6 by The Nevada Independent and is republished here with permission.
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