Cortez Masto's Lands Bill Would Keep Proceeds in Nevada

The senator's legislation aims to balance development and conservation while ensuring revenue stays local.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:54am

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A serene, painterly landscape depicting a desert scene with a small cluster of buildings in the distance, bathed in warm, golden sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the balanced approach to land management in Nevada.A thoughtful balance of development and conservation aims to preserve Nevada's natural beauty while supporting sustainable growth.Las Vegas Today

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto's Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, also known as the Clark County Lands bill, would open 25,000 acres for responsible growth in Las Vegas while setting aside 2 million acres for conservation. Contrary to a recent letter to the editor, the proceeds from any land sales would not go to the federal government, but rather to a special account that benefits Nevada through education funding, water infrastructure, and environmental mitigation projects.

Why it matters

This legislation builds upon the success of the 1998 Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act, which has provided billions in revenue to Clark County. Ensuring that money generated from public land sales in Nevada stays in the hands of Nevadans is a key priority for Sen. Cortez Masto and her constituents.

The details

The Clark County Lands bill would open 25,000 acres for development to help Las Vegas grow responsibly, while setting aside 2 million acres for conservation. Contrary to claims, the revenue from these land sales would not go to the federal government, but rather to a special account created by the 1998 Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act. Under this law, 5% of the revenue goes to the state of Nevada for education, 10% goes to the Southern Nevada Water Authority for infrastructure, and 85% supports conservation and environmental projects in Southern Nevada.

  • Sen. Cortez Masto has been working on this bill for years.
  • Last year, the senator opposed a Republican effort to sell 200,000 acres of land in Clark County and other areas that would have sent the proceeds directly to Washington.

The players

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto

The Democratic senator from Nevada who introduced the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, also known as the Clark County Lands bill.

Nevada Conservation League

A conservation group that has partnered with Sen. Cortez Masto on the Clark County Lands bill.

Southern Nevada Water Authority

The agency that receives 10% of the revenue from land sales under the 1998 Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act.

Paul Selberg

The former executive director of the Nevada Conservation League who wrote this op-ed in support of Sen. Cortez Masto's lands bill.

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What they’re saying

“Public land management in Nevada should benefit Nevadans. We should protect sacred cultural sites and beloved recreation spaces, responsibly transfer land for affordable housing when needed and ensure our state has the resources it needs to grow sustainably.”

— Paul Selberg, Former Executive Director, Nevada Conservation League

What’s next

The Clark County Lands bill is currently working its way through Congress, and if passed, it would provide a framework for balancing development and conservation in Southern Nevada while ensuring the proceeds stay within the state to benefit local communities.

The takeaway

This legislation demonstrates Sen. Cortez Masto's commitment to responsible growth and environmental protection in Nevada, while also ensuring that any revenue generated from public land sales is reinvested back into the state to support education, infrastructure, and conservation efforts.