Steve Yeager, Speaker of the Nevada State Assembly – Interview Series

Since the 2016 election, attorney and former public defender Steve Yeager has served as the Assembly representative for Nevada’s 9th District. During his time in the Assembly, he chaired the fitting Judiciary Committee from 2017 to 2023 and was elected Speaker Pro Tempore in 2019. During the beginning of the eventful 2023 Nevada Legislature Session, Yeager was elected to the prestigious position of Speaker of the Nevada Assembly.

How did you get involved in politics and why did you decide to attend law school?

I decided to go to law school because I wanted to go to graduate school and law school seemed like it offered the most career choices and was only 3 years, while some of the other graduate programs were much longer. It seemed like the smart thing to do. Having a law degree has served me well.

I volunteered for the Al Gore presidential campaign when I was an undergrad at the University of Michigan, but I didn’t really get involved in politics until I lobbied for the Clark County Public Defender’s Office up in Carson City in 2013. That experience showed me that politics allowed you to make big structural changes to solve big problems. I was hooked and ran for office the very next cycle!

What have been some of your highlights as a state representative and what are the legislative duties of the Speaker of the Nevada Assembly?

Chairing the Assembly Judiciary Committee as a freshman legislator in 2017 was definitely a highlight. It was a lot of work and came with a lot of responsibility, but it allowed me to play a part in criminal justice reform efforts and gun violence prevention legislation. Beyond that, I have been passionate about outdoor recreation legislation, especially when it comes to getting our youth outdoors. It has also been an honor to serve in the first (and currently only) female majority legislature in the country, a distinction we first earned in 2019.

In Nevada, the Speaker of the Assembly has the primary responsibility of running the Assembly floor sessions. Beyond that, the Speaker sets the legislative agenda for the Assembly and determines which bills advance and which ones don’t. In addition, the Speaker appoints members to leadership positions and to sit on standing committees.

What inspired you to craft and sponsor Assembly Bill 341? And how does it feel to finally witness the legislation of the bill (the opening of consumption lounges) come into fruition?

It never made sense to me that we would authorize the use of cannabis yet prevent its use in public but not authorize any place to legally consume it. This left our 40+ million tourists in a tough spot since cannabis was not allowed in casinos, where most of them would be staying. It also caused problems for renters, especially those in federally subsidized housing, as well as individuals who simply did not want to consume in their homes for various reasons. Those concerns led me to sponsor Assembly Bill 341, authorizing consumption lounges.

I was extremely satisfied to be at the grand opening of the first consumption lounge (Smoke & Mirrors) and to know that I had played a small part in paving the way for it to happen. It is always nice to see firsthand the impacts of the polices you work on as a legislator. And it is a very cool space. Customers there were really enjoying themselves, finally having a safe, legal space to consume.

Since it’s been about or close to six months since the legislation of AB 341 and AB 277 have become reality, do you feel that these bills have been beneficial for the Nevada cannabis industry as a whole?

Without a doubt. Consumption lounges not only bring jobs and additional economic opportunity, but they finally provide a safe and legal space for both locals and tourists to consume. They are a wonderful addition to everything else that Las Vegas has going on right now from a tourist and marketing perspective. And increasing the purchase limit just makes sense for both the customer and the operator.

What are still some legislative improvements that the cannabis industry still needs from your viewpoint and experience?

Much of what the industry needs will have to come from the federal government. Allowing safe banking and the tax deduction of business expenses will help the businesses become more profitable and will likely lead to a decrease in prices. That will help combat the black market, which continues to be a challenge.

When it comes to state legislation, we will continue to seek input from the industry and to try to find the appropriate balance between regulation and consumer protection. But, all in all, I think Nevada has done a pretty good job in this space and it has been an honor to be a part of those efforts through my legislative work. I look forward to the work ahead.