NV AB222

Establishes a hiring preference order for public works projects: (1) women, (2) honorably discharged veterans, (3) residents of historically underserved communities, (4) rural area residents, (5) formerly incarcerated persons, and (6) persons under 26 years of age, all of whom must be Nevada citizens

Requires contractors on vertical construction public works to employ workers from preferred categories for at least 10% of total labor hours, and horizontal construction contractors for at least 3% of total labor hours

Mandates that apprentices from preferred categories constitute at least 10% of required apprentice hours on vertical construction projects requiring 400+ hours, and 3% on horizontal construction projects requiring 800+ hours

Imposes penalties up to $1,000 for first violations and disqualification from public works bidding for up to 2 years for subsequent violations; contractors must submit annual compliance reports by February 15 and maintain documentation of good faith hiring efforts

Applies to contracts for public works with bids submitted on or after October 1, 2025, with initial compliance reports due February 15, 2027