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1.01.2026

What to Expect During Nevada’s 2026 Legislative Interim—and Why Families Should Get Involved

When people think about the Nevada Legislature, they often picture the fast-paced 120-day Legislative Session that happens every two years. But there is another important time that doesn’t always get as much attention—the Legislative Interim. The 2026 Interim will play a major role in shaping policies that affect young children, families, and communities across Nevada.

Understanding what happens during the Interim—and how families can get involved—helps ensure that the voices of parents, caregivers, and early childhood providers are heard long before laws are voted on.

What Is the Nevada Legislative Interim?

The Legislative Interim is the period of time between legislative sessions. For Nevada, the Interim lasts about 20 months, beginning after the Legislature adjourns in 2025 and running through the start of the 2027 session.

While no new laws are passed during the Interim, this time is far from quiet. Lawmakers use the Interim to:

• Study issues in more depth
• Hear from experts and community members
• Review data and reports
• Develop ideas for future legislation

Many of the bills that are debated during a Legislative Session begin as conversations, studies, or recommendations during the Interim.

What Happens During the Interim?

During the Interim, legislators serve on interim committees. These committees focus on specific topics such as education, health and human services, child welfare, housing, and economic security.

Committees may:

• Hold public meetings and hearings
• Request research and reports
• Review how current programs are working
• Identify gaps or challenges
• Discuss possible policy solutions

For families with young children, Interim discussions may include topics like:

• Child care access and affordability
• Early learning and preschool programs
• Maternal and infant health
• Children’s behavioral health
• Family economic stability
• Support for early childhood providers

These conversations help lawmakers understand what is happening on the ground and what changes may be needed.

Why the Interim Matters for Families

The Interim is a critical time because ideas are still forming. By the time the Legislative Session begins, many priorities have already been set.

When families share their experiences during the Interim, it can:

• Influence which issues receive attention
• Shape how problems are defined
• Help lawmakers understand real-life impacts
• Lead to stronger, more effective solutions

For example, hearing directly from parents about child care waitlists, the cost of infant care, or challenges finding services for children with special needs helps lawmakers see beyond numbers and reports.

The Interim gives families more time to engage, learn, and build relationships with decision-makers—without the pressure and fast pace of a live legislative session.

Why Your Voice Matters

Parents and caregivers are experts in their own lives. Your experiences help policymakers understand:

• What is working well
• Where families are struggling
• How policies affect daily routines
• What support families truly need

You do not need to be a policy expert to participate. Sharing your story—whether it is about finding child care, navigating health services, or supporting your child’s learning—adds valuable perspective.

When lawmakers hear from families across Nevada, including rural, urban, and tribal communities, it leads to better decisions that reflect the needs of the whole state.

How Families Can Get Involved During the Interim

There are many ways families can stay engaged during the 2026 Legislative Interim, even with busy schedules.

1. Attend or Watch Interim Meetings
   Most Interim committee meetings are open to the public and are streamed online. Watching a meeting can help you learn what issues are being discussed and how decisions are made. Click here to see information about the Nevada Legislature’s Interim Committees, including a list of upcoming meetings.
2. Share Public Comment
   Committees often accept public comment, either in person, by phone, or in writing. Public comment does not have to be long or formal. A few sentences about your experience can make a difference.
3. Stay Informed
   Following updates from trusted organizations, like First 5 Nevada, helps families understand what is happening and when input is needed. Click here to learn more about getting involved, including a list of parent and advisory groups, and policy resources.
4. Talk With Your Legislators
   You can contact your local Senator or Assemblymember during the Interim. Many lawmakers welcome conversations with constituents and want to hear what matters to families in their districts. Not sure who your legislator is? Click here to find out!
5. Join Community Conversations
   Community meetings, listening sessions, and family forums provide opportunities to learn more and connect with others who care about early childhood issues.

What Issues May Be Discussed in 2026?

While committee topics can change, the 2026 Interim is expected to include conversations that impact young children and families, such as:

• Strengthening early learning and preschool programs
• Improving child care affordability and access
• Supporting the early childhood workforce
• Enhancing maternal, infant, and children’s health services
• Improving coordination across programs that serve families

The Interim is a time to look at how systems work together and how they can better support families from pregnancy through early childhood.

How First 5 Nevada Supports Family Engagement

First 5 Nevada works to ensure that families have clear, accurate information about policy discussions that affect young children. During the Interim, First 5 Nevada may:

• Share plain-language updates
• Highlight opportunities for family input
• Host or promote listening sessions
• Provide tools to help families engage

Our goal is to help families feel informed, confident, and empowered to participate—no matter their level of experience with the legislative process.

Click here to learn more about the First 5 Nevada Family Leadership Council!

How to Get Additional Information

To stay connected during the 2026 Legislative Interim:

• Sign up for First 5 Nevada newsletters and alerts
• Follow First 5 Nevada on social media
• Visit the Nevada Legislature website to view meeting schedules and recordings
• Reach out to First 5 Nevada with questions about how to get involved

Staying informed helps ensure you don’t miss important opportunities to share your voice.

Looking Ahead

The choices Nevada makes about early childhood policies affect families today and for years to come. The 2026 Legislative Interim is a key moment to shape those choices before laws are written and voted on.

By staying engaged, sharing your experiences, and learning alongside others, families help build a stronger future for Nevada’s youngest children.

Your voice matters—not just during the Legislative Session, but all year long.