In a recently concluded Nevada State Legislature, Governor Joe Lombardo vetoed AB82. Assembly Bill 82 (AB82), introduced in the Nevada State Legislature and championed by Assemblyman Reuben D’Silva, aimed to require the Governor to officially proclaim observance of several important religious and cultural holidays celebrated by South Asian communities in Nevada, specifically the Hindu festival of Diwali, the Muslim festival of Eid-al-Fitr, the Sikh community’s Vaisakhi festival, and Buddhist Vesak celebrations.

The primary sponsor of the bill, Indian-American State Legislator Reuben D’Silva, worked extremely hard to get the bill passed to observe South Asian community religious days. D’Silva had the support of all the Democrats and worked even harder to garner support from Republicans. “AB82 was the first ever Nevada bill that came directly from and was strongly focused on the South Asian community. It was very unfortunate that this legislation was vetoed,” said Assemblymember Reuben D’Silva.

Both the Nevada State Assembly and the Senate passed the bill, and there was no fiscal impact due to its passage. There were 20 co-sponsors of the bill (AB82). Multiple hearings were held in support of the bill. All the religious and community leaders from the Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Buddhist communities testified in support of the bill to recognize their community’s respective holidays. 

Republican legislatures who voted against the bill include Assemblymembers – Jill Dickman, Danielle Gallant, Ken Gray, Bert Gurr, Gregory Hafen, Alexis Hansen, Melissa Hardy, PK O’Neill, and Toby Yurek. Senate members who voted against the bill include Carrie Buck, John Ellison, Ira Hansen, Lisa Krasner, Jeff Stone, and Robin Titus. Senators Ira Hansen, Lisa Krasner, and Robin Titus, all from Northern Nevada, are up for election in 2026. All the Assembly members are up for election in 2026.

In a letter to Steve Yeager, Speaker of the Nevada State Assembly, Governor Lombardo wrote, “Currently, there is no need to codify additional days into law. There is already an administrative process to request that a day, week, or month be proclaimed by the Governor. I encourage the bill sponsor to request a proclamation from my Office in advance of each of the holidays proposed in this bill.”
 

https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/AB/AB82.pdf