Sandra Jauregui, a candidate for Nevada’s lieutenant governor, announced a proposal to bar all elected officials in the state from engaging in personal stock trading while holding office. The measure, unveiled during a press conference in Carson City, would require officials to place any securities holdings into a blind trust or divest entirely, aiming to eliminate perceived conflicts of interest.
Jauregui, a former Nevada Assembly member and former senior adviser to Governor Steve Sisolak, said the initiative responds to growing public scrutiny after high‑profile cases of lawmakers profiting from insider information. She referenced recent federal investigations into members of Congress who allegedly used non‑public data to time trades, arguing that Nevada should set a higher ethical standard.
ALSO READ | Food Bank for NYC Urges Congress to Halt SNAP Cost Shift and Fully Fund Emergency Aid
The proposed ban would apply to all state‑level officials, including the governor, lieutenant governor, legislators, and members of statewide boards. Violations could trigger civil penalties and potential removal from office. Jauregui’s bill also calls for the creation of an independent ethics commission to oversee compliance and provide guidance on permissible investment vehicles, such as diversified mutual funds.
Critics from the Nevada Republican Party argue the legislation infringes on personal financial freedom and could deter qualified candidates from seeking office. Business groups expressed concern that the ban might push officials to invest in less transparent vehicles, complicating financial disclosures. Nonetheless, Jauregui noted that similar restrictions already exist for federal officials under the STOCK Act, and she seeks to align Nevada with those standards.
The proposal will be introduced to the Nevada Senate and Assembly during the upcoming legislative session. If passed, it would become the first statewide ban of its kind in the United States, potentially prompting other states to consider comparable measures.
