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Nevada Governor Blocks Price-Fixing Ban Amid Debate Over Market Regulation

By  |  June 18, 2025

A bill aimed at cracking down on price manipulation for essential goods has been vetoed by Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, sparking a sharp political divide with the state’s attorney general.

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    Assembly Bill 44, introduced by Attorney General Aaron Ford, sought to make it a criminal offense for businesses to intentionally inflate the cost of necessities such as food, housing, and medicine beyond typical market fluctuations. However, the bill encountered significant pushback from business leaders and commerce groups during the legislative session.

    According to a statement from the governor’s office, the legislation amounted to government overreach and could result in unintended consequences for property owners and business operators. Lombardo likened the bill to a form of rent control, expressing concern that it would unduly restrict landlords’ ability to set rental prices in accordance with rising costs.

    “For instance, as it relates to housing, AB 44 would effectively impose rent control by restricting property owners’ ability to adjust rents in response to rising costs and market conditions,” Lombardo stated in his official veto message.

    Read more: Federal Lawsuit Targets Alleged Price Fixing in Archery Industry

    Opponents of the measure, including chambers of commerce, argued that the bill could punish legitimate price increases driven by inflation or supply chain issues. They feared that businesses acting in good faith could be subject to criminal penalties under the proposed law.

    In contrast, Attorney General Ford defended the bill as a necessary step to protect Nevada residents from exploitative practices. During a June 9 press conference, Ford emphasized that many families are grappling with the high cost of living, and AB 44 was designed to target companies engaging in deceptive pricing strategies.

    Per a statement from Ford during the briefing, his office has identified cases where companies allegedly used automated systems to manipulate rental prices, potentially coordinating to drive up costs for consumers. “It’s particularly troubling that some large companies and corporations have actually been caught secretly colluding to drive up prices for their own profit,” he said.

    The political tensions between the two state leaders may continue to escalate, as both Ford and Lombardo are widely expected to be potential contenders in Nevada’s 2026 gubernatorial race.

    Source: KUNR