Did Steve Sisolak propose to commute the sentences of all prisoners on Nevada’s death row just before leaving office?

Outgoing Gov. Steve Sisolak asked that the Nevada Pardons Board to consider reducing the sentences of all 57 inmates on death row to life in prison without parole. The governor serves on the board, along with Nevada’s attorney general and members of the Nevada Supreme Court.

Following a petition by the Washoe County district attorney in opposition to adding the agenda item, a judge blocked the board from taking action. The court cited Nevada’s victim’s rights law, which requires that victims and their families receive reasonable notice before any post-conviction action is taken related to the perpetrator.

During the 2021 Nevada legislative session, Sisolak and the state Senate’s Democratic leadership put an end to a proposal that would have repealed the death penalty in Nevada. Sisolak's position at the time was that while the death penalty ought to be used less often, certain "severe situations" warrant the practice.