SB 7: A Breath of Fresh Air for Firefighters… or Something More?
Sparks Firefighters Facebook post on November 22, 2025.
Picon supports SB7 and the intent behind the bill, but we continue to question why this item was placed into a special session. While the policy itself may have merit, the urgency and timing remain unclear, and the public deserves transparency on why SB3 could not move through the normal legislative process, and frankly the sponsor of the bill … read on.
A bill is sitting on Governor Joe Lombardo’s desk right now—SB 7, a measure that expands when lung diseases are considered occupational for Nevada’s firefighters, police officers, and arson investigators. On the surface, it’s a bill almost no one would dare criticize. Who doesn’t want first responders protected?
But in Nevada politics, nothing exists in a vacuum.
And sometimes the shadows around a bill are more interesting than the bill itself.
SB 7 is sponsored by Senator Nicole Cannizzaro, who—by no coincidence—recently announced her campaign for Attorney General. That’s a big race. A statewide race. The kind of race where union support becomes not just helpful, but essential.
And firefighters have some of the strongest, best-funded unions in Nevada.
So far, nothing unusual—politics runs on alliances. But then the story takes a turn.
The connections everyone notices but no one mentions.
Cannizzaro is married to Nate Ring, a partner at the law firm Reese, Ring & Velto.
His partners?
Devon Reese, Reno City Councilmember
Alex Velto, Reno Planning Commissioner
Both attorneys.
Both politically active.
Both known for representing—yes—firefighter unions.
It’s a small state. People know each other. They work together. They marry. That's not unique.
But when a bill that benefits a group is sponsored by a senator whose immediate family is tied to a law firm whose partners represent that same group… well, people start asking questions.
Questions like:
Is this purely good policy, or does it come with political goodwill attached?
Is this about protecting firefighters—or gathering endorsements for a statewide race?
And when so many players in the same circle stand to benefit indirectly, at what point do voters deserve transparency?
A Pattern? Possibly.
Worth Thinking About? Absolutely.**
Nobody is saying SB 7 is a bad bill. In fact, most Nevadans probably support protecting first responders from diseases they face on the job. That part is noble, clear, and needed.
But in politics, intent and timing matter just as much as the text of the bill.
And this one has:
A statewide candidate
A powerful union constituency
Close professional ties
Legislative timing that aligns perfectly with campaign season
Is it a coincidence wrapped in civic virtue?
Or a carefully placed stepping-stone toward the Attorney General’s office?
Nevadans are smart enough to decide for themselves—
as long as they have all the facts laid out in front of them.
Sometimes all it takes is looking twice at something everyone else only looked at once.
Wonder who will be getting fires endorsement in the Attorney General race … is sponsorship of this bill a way to cement endorsements.