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Nevada Anti-SLAPP Acts & Laws

Last updated 2017-06-26

NRS 41.635. Definitions

As used in NRS 41.635 to 41.670, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 41.637 and 41.640 have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.

NRS 41.637. "Good faith communication in furtherance of the right to petition or the right to free speech in direct connection with an issue of public concern" defined

"Good faith communication in furtherance of the right to petition or the right to free speech in direct connection with an issue of public concern" means any:
1. Communication that is aimed at procuring any governmental or electoral action, result or outcome;
2. Communication of information or a complaint to a Legislator, officer or employee of the Federal Government, this state or a political subdivision of this state, regarding a matter reasonably of concern to the respective governmental entity;
3. Written or oral statement made in direct connection with an issue under consideration by a legislative, executive or judicial body, or any other official proceeding authorized by law; or
4. Communication made in direct connection with an issue of public interest in a place open to the public or in a public forum,
which is truthful or is made without knowledge of its falsehood.

NRS 41.640. "Political subdivision" defined

"Political subdivision" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 41.0305.

NRS 41.650. Limitation of liability

A person who engages in a good faith communication in furtherance of the right to petition or the right to free speech in direct connection with an issue of public concern is immune from any civil action for claims based upon the communication.

NRS 41.660. Attorney General or chief legal officer of political subdivision may defend or provide support to person sued for engaging in right to petition or free speech in direct connection with an issue of public concern; special counsel; filing special motion to dismiss; stay of discovery; adjudication upon merits

1. If an action is brought against a person based upon a good faith communication in furtherance of the right to petition or the right to free speech in direct connection with an issue of public concern:
(a) The person against whom the action is brought may file a special motion to dismiss; and
(b) The Attorney General or the chief legal officer or attorney of a political subdivision of this State may defend or otherwise support the person against whom the action is brought. If the Attorney General or the chief legal officer or attorney of a political subdivision has a conflict of interest in, or is otherwise disqualified from, defending or otherwise supporting the person, the Attorney General or the chief legal officer or attorney of a political subdivision may employ special counsel to defend or otherwise support the person.
2. A special motion to dismiss must be filed within 60 days after service of the complaint, which period may be extended by the court for good cause shown.
3. If a special motion to dismiss is filed pursuant to subsection 2, the court shall:
(a) Determine whether the moving party has established, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the claim is based upon a good faith communication in furtherance of the right to petition or the right to free speech in direct connection with an issue of public concern;
(b) If the court determines that the moving party has met the burden pursuant to paragraph (a), determine whether the plaintiff has demonstrated with prima facie evidence a probability of prevailing on the claim;
(c) If the court determines that the plaintiff has established a probability of prevailing on the claim pursuant to paragraph (b), ensure that such determination will not:
(1) Be admitted into evidence at any later stage of the underlying action or subsequent proceeding; or
(2) Affect the burden of proof that is applied in the underlying action or subsequent proceeding;
(d) Consider such evidence, written or oral, by witnesses or affidavits, as may be material in making a determination pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b);
(e) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, stay discovery pending:
(1) A ruling by the court on the motion; and
(2) The disposition of any appeal from the ruling on the motion; and
(f) Rule on the motion within 20 judicial days after the motion is served upon the plaintiff.
4. Upon a showing by a party that information necessary to meet or oppose the burden pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 3 is in the possession of another party or a third party and is not reasonably available without discovery, the court shall allow limited discovery for the purpose of ascertaining such information.
5. If the court dismisses the action pursuant to a special motion to dismiss filed pursuant to subsection 2, the dismissal operates as an adjudication upon the merits.
6. The court shall modify any deadlines pursuant to this section or any other deadlines relating to a complaint filed pursuant to this section if such modification would serve the interests of justice.
7. As used in this section:
(a) "Complaint" means any action brought against a person based upon a good faith communication in furtherance of the right to petition or the right to free speech in direct connection with an issue of public concern, including, without limitation, a counterclaim or cross-claim.
(b) "Plaintiff" means any person asserting a claim, including, without limitation, a counterclaim or cross-claim.

NRS 41.665. Legislative findings and declaration regarding plaintiff's burden of proof under NRS 41.660

The Legislature finds and declares that:
1. NRS 41.660 provides certain protections to a person against whom an action is brought, if the action is based upon a good faith communication in furtherance of the right to petition or the right to free speech in direct connection with an issue of public concern.
2. When a plaintiff must demonstrate a probability of success of prevailing on a claim pursuant to NRS 41.660, the Legislature intends that in determining whether the plaintiff "has demonstrated with prima facie evidence a probability of prevailing on the claim" the plaintiff must meet the same burden of proof that a plaintiff has been required to meet pursuant to California's anti-Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation law as of June 8, 2015.

NRS 41.670. Award of reasonable costs, attorney's fees and monetary relief under certain circumstances; separate action for damages; sanctions for frivolous or vexatious special motion to dismiss; interlocutory appeal

1. If the court grants a special motion to dismiss filed pursuant to NRS 41.660:
(a) The court shall award reasonable costs and attorney's fees to the person against whom the action was brought, except that the court shall award reasonable costs and attorney's fees to this State or to the appropriate political subdivision of this State if the Attorney General, the chief legal officer or attorney of the political subdivision or special counsel provided the defense for the person pursuant to NRS 41.660.
(b) The court may award, in addition to reasonable costs and attorney's fees awarded pursuant to paragraph (a), an amount of up to $10,000 to the person against whom the action was brought.
(c) The person against whom the action is brought may bring a separate action to recover:
(1) Compensatory damages;
(2) Punitive damages; and
(3) Attorney's fees and costs of bringing the separate action.
2. If the court denies a special motion to dismiss filed pursuant to NRS 41.660 and finds that the motion was frivolous or vexatious, the court shall award to the prevailing party reasonable costs and attorney's fees incurred in responding to the motion.
3. In addition to reasonable costs and attorney's fees awarded pursuant to subsection 2, the court may award:
(a) An amount of up to $10,000; and
(b) Any such additional relief as the court deems proper to punish and deter the filing of frivolous or vexatious motions.
4. If the court denies the special motion to dismiss filed pursuant to NRS 41.660, an interlocutory appeal lies to the Supreme Court.




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