Nevada Statutory Derivation

To find out where a Nevada law came from, look at its history note. For example, NRS 17.130 was first made in 1911 and has been changed a few times before becoming part of the current law. This law started in the Civil Practice Act and has been included in different law books over the years. Westlaw might not show all the old sources, but Lexis gives a more complete history, though it might miss some details. The NRS on the Legislature's website shows the most detailed history, including all the important old sources and changes.

Understanding Statutory History: Example with NRS 17.130

The first step is to examine the statute's history note, ideally from the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) on the Legislature's website. For this research guide, we’ll start with NRS 17.130 and also reference NRS 17.140. 

The history note for NRS 17.130 reads:
[1911 CPA § 329; RL § 5271; NCL § 8827] — (NRS A 1979, 830; 1981, 1858; 1987, 940)

Key Takeaways from the History Note

1. Original Source

   • The statute was first enacted in 1911 as part of the Civil Practice Act (CPA), where it was designated as Section 329.
   • More information about the Civil Practice Act and other 1911 Acts can be found [here].

2. 1911 Acts and Statutory Compilations

   • The 1911 Acts were not published in the Statutes of Nevada.
   • Instead, they first appeared in the 1912 Revised Laws (RL), where this statute was renumbered as Section 5271.

3. Further Compilations

   • When the 1929 Nevada Compiled Laws (NCL) replaced the Revised Laws, this statute was renumbered again as Section 8827.

4. Modern Amendments

   • The portion in parentheses indicates changes in the current NRS.
   • The statute was amended three times: in 1979, 1981, and 1987. The "A" signifies "Amended," and the numbers refer to pages in the Statutes of Nevada for those years:
     • 1979 (page 830)
     • 1981 (page 1858)
     • 1987 (page 940)

Caution: Using Westlaw for Statutory Origin Research

When conducting statutory origin research, be cautious when relying on Westlaw, as its statutory history notes often omit references to pre-NRS statutory compilations. This omission can hinder the ability to trace a statute's origins accurately.

Example: History Notes for NRS 17.130

1. Westlaw History Note
   Added by CPA (1911), § 329. NRS amended by Laws 1979, p. 830; Laws 1981, p. 1858; Laws 1987, p. 940.

   • What’s Missing: Westlaw’s history note does not include references to the Revised Laws (RL) or Nevada Compiled Laws (NCL), which are crucial for tracking the statute’s development prior to the creation of the NRS.

2. NRS (Legislature's Website) History Note
   [1911 CPA § 329; RL § 5271; NCL § 8827] — (NRS A 1979, 830; 1981, 1858; 1987, 940)

   • This note provides a complete citation trail, showing the statute's incorporation into the 1912 Revised Laws (RL § 5271) and its renumbering in the 1929 Nevada Compiled Laws (NCL § 8827).

3. Lexis History Note
   CPA 1911, § 329; RL 1912, § 5271; CL 1929, § 8827; 1979, p. 830; 1981, p. 1858; 1987, ch. 413, § 1, p. 940.

   • While more detailed than Westlaw, the Lexis history note omits the brackets, which can indicate pre-NRS origins and distinctions.