Measure prohibits government hurdles for public workers running for office

CARSON CITY — Legislators expressed overwhelming support for a bill that would prevent governments from deterring their workers from running for public office. But they did not act on the bill Monday.

Assemblyman Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, said he proposed Assembly Bill 433 because of a Las Vegas requirement that employees who run for office must take unpaid leaves of absence when they file for office. He later identified Assemblyman Steven Brooks, D-Las Vegas, as the city worker forced to go off payroll when he filed his candidacy last year.

State law already prevents private employers from taking any actions against their workers who run for office. Segerblom said the same requirement should apply to government workers. Private employers are fined $5,000, under state law if they try to block or discipline their workers who seek public office.

Under Segerblom’s bill, the same requirement would apply to governments. An amendment he proposed also would block both private and public employers from requiring their workers to take unpaid leaves of absence.

“Whether you are a city employee a private employee, you simply should be able to put in your 40 hours a week and then campaign at night or the weekend,” said Assembly Speaker John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas.