Gov. Lombardo Vetoes Street Vendor Bill; Proponents Vow to Keep Fighting

CARSON CITY, Nev.—On Tuesday evening, Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed a bill that would have loosened restrictions on street food vendors, which have severely limited the number of vendors entering the market. The Institute for Justice (IJ), which worked with street vendors and lawmakers on the bill, will continue fighting for reforms during the next legislative session in 2027.  

“We’re obviously very disappointed with the governor’s decision to veto this bipartisan bill that would have helped small business owners and provided consumers with more food options,” said IJ Assistant Director of Activism Jennifer McDonald. “We remain committed to working with lawmakers, small business owners and coalition partners throughout the state to make the needed reforms.”  

Since Nevada legalized street vending in 2023, only six vendors had been able to become fully licensed as of March 2025, likely due to the high costs and bureaucratic maze vendors must navigate. SB 295 aimed to fix that problem.  

Nevada’s street vendors are currently required to pay thousands of dollars a year to rent space at a commissary kitchen to prepare their food and store their carts when not in use. The bill would have allowed the vendors to prepare certain non-potentially hazardous foods directly on their cart, saving vendors from having to spend money on a commissary.