Read the full stored bill text
- 83rd Session (2025)
Assembly Bill No. 328–Assemblymembers
D’Silva and Jackson
Joint Sponsor: Senator Neal
CHAPTER..........
AN ACT relating to education; creating the Juneteenth Educational
and Economic Commission within the Department of
Tourism and Cultural Affairs ; prescribing the membership,
powers and duties of the Commission; creating the
Juneteenth Educational and Economic Fund; creating the
Subcommittee to Study and Develop Policy
Recommendations for African-Americans of the Joint Interim
Standing Committee on Education to conduct a study during
the 2025 -2026 interim; prescribing the membership , powers
and duties of the Subcommittee; and providing other matters
properly relating thereto.
Legislative Counsel’s Digest:
Existing law creates the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs whose
duties include, without limitation, the oversight of plans for tourism, publications
and cultural affairs. (NRS 231. 8117, 231.8131) Section 1.6 of this bill creates the
Juneteenth Education al and Economic Commission within the Department and
provides that the membership of the Commission consists of: (1) three members,
each of whom is from the African -American studies department or similar cultural
studies program at the Nevada State College, The University of Nevada, Las Vegas
and the University of Nevada, Reno, respectively; (2) one representative of
Juneteenth Nevada, or any successor nonprofit organization in this State whose
mission is focused on Juneteenth Day education, unity and diversity; (3) one
member who represents a professional association representing African -American
businesses; (4) one member who represents an African -American cultural
awareness advocacy group; (5) one member who repre sents an educational
advocacy group with a statewide presence; and (6) one member who represents a
museum or cultural history organization in this State. To the extent that funding is
available, section 1.6 requires the Department to provide administrative support to
the Commission.
Section 1.7 of this bill requires the Commission to: (1) create and distribute
written, electronic or printed materials to educate the public on the history and
meaning of Juneteenth Day in the State of Nevada and the United St ates; (2)
develop strategies with businesses, nonprofit organizations and community groups
to support education on the significance of Juneteenth Day; (3) support the efforts
of businesses, community groups and local governments to establish events and
programs relating to Juneteenth Day throughout the State; and (4) support programs
in the arts to celebrate Juneteenth Day.
Section 1.8 of this bill creates the Juneteenth Education al and Economic Fund
for the support of the Commission.
Sections 1.2-1.5 of this bill define certain terms relating to the Commission.
Existing law creates the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Education and
authorizes the Committee to: (1) evaluate, review and comment upon issues related
to education in this State ; (2) conduct investigations and hold hearings in
– 2 –
- 83rd Session (2025)
connection with such duties ; and (3) make recommendations to the Legislature
relating to the improvement of public education . (NRS 218E.320, 218E.615)
Existing law requires the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Education to
prepare and submit to the Legislature a comprehensive report of its activities in the
interim and its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation. (NRS
218E.330) Section 1.9 of this bill creates the Subcommittee to Study and Develop
Policy Recommendations for African -Americans of the Joint Interim Standing
Committee on Education to conduct the study set forth in section 2 of this bill
during the 2025 -2026 interim. Section 1.9 prescribes the membership and officers
of the Subcommittee and the compensation of the members. Section 1.9 also
provides for the filling of vacancies and requirements for meetings.
Section 2 requires the Subcommittee to: (1) study certain matters relating to
historical discrimination in this State and the related economic effects of the
discrimination to present day society in this State; and (2) present its findings and
make recommendations relating to its findings to the Joint Interim Standing
Committee on Education, for inclusion in its 2026 -2026 interim report, for methods
to educate the general public about the findings and recommendations of the
Subcommittee, advancement of racial healing, understanding and transformation
and the form and scope of rehabilitation or restitution to the descendants of
formerly enslaved Africans, if warranted, based on the findings of the
Subcommittee. Section 2 authorizes the Subcommittee to collaborate and consult
with and invite participation by historians, scholars and other interested parties and
requires state agencies to provide any information requested by the Subcommittee
relating to its duties. Section 2 also authorizes the Subcommittee to: (1) request
assistance from the Division of State Library, Arc hives and Public Records of the
Department of Administration, which is required to provide assistance to the extent
that resources are available ; and (2) direct the Legislative Counsel Bureau to assist
in its research investigations, review and analysis.
Section 2 further authorizes the Subcommittee to apply for and accept certain
funds for the Subcommittee in carrying out its duties.
EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 231 of NRS is hereby amended by adding
thereto the provisions set forth as sections 1.1 to 1.8, inclusive, of
this act.
Sec. 1.1. As used in sections 1.1 to 1.8, inclusive, of this act,
unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined
in sections 1.2 to 1.5, inclusive, of this act have the meanings
ascribed to them in those sections.
Sec. 1.2. “Commission” means the Juneteenth Educational
and Economic Commission created by section 1.6 of this act.
Sec. 1.3. “Department” mean s the Department of Tourism
and Cultural Affairs.
Sec. 1.4. “Director” means the Director of the Department.
– 3 –
- 83rd Session (2025)
Sec. 1.5. “Fund” means the Juneteenth Educational and
Economic Fund created by section 1.8 of this act.
Sec. 1.6. 1. The Juneteenth Educational and Economic
Commission is hereby created within the Department.
2. The Juneteenth Educational and Economic Commission is
composed of eight voting members appointed by the Governor
based on recommendations from the Director, as follows:
(a) One member from the African -American studies
department or similar cultural studies program at the University of
Nevada, Las Vegas;
(b) One member from the African -American studies
department or similar cultural studies program at the University of
Nevada, Reno;
(c) One member from the African -American studies
department or similar cultural studies program at the Nevada
State College;
(d) One representative of Juneteenth Nevada or any successor
nonprofit organization in this State whose mission is focuse d on
Juneteenth Day education, unity and diversity;
(e) One member who represents a professional association
representing African-American businesses;
(f) One member who represents an African -American cultural
awareness advocacy group;
(g) One member who represents an educational advocacy
group with a statewide presence; and
(h) One member who represents a museum or cultural history
organization in this State.
3. The term of each voting member of the Commission is 4
years. Members may be reappointed for 1 additional term of 4
years. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the
Commission must be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment.
4. The Commission shall meet once each calendar quarter. At
the first regular meeting of each year , the members of the
Commission shall select a Chair and Vice Chair by majority vote
who shall serve until the next Chair and Vice Chair is elected.
5. A majority of members of the Commission constitute s a
quorum for the transaction of business, and a ma jority of those
members present at any meeting is sufficient for any official
action taken by the Commission.
6. To the extent that funding is available, the Department
shall provide administrative support to the Commission as
necessary for the Commission to carry out its duties.
– 4 –
- 83rd Session (2025)
Sec. 1.7. The Commission shall to the extent practicable:
1. Create and distribute written, electronic or printed
materials to educate the public on the history and meaning of
Juneteenth Day in the State of Nevada and the United States;
2. Develop strategies with businesses, nonprofit organizations
and community groups to support education in this State on the
significance of Juneteenth Day;
3. Support the efforts of businesses, community groups and
local governments to establish events and programs relating to
Juneteenth Day throughout the State; and
4. Support programs in the arts to celebrate Juneteenth Day.
Sec. 1.8. 1. There is hereby created the Juneteenth
Educational and Economic Fund in the State Treasury, to be
administered by the Director, for the support of the Commission.
2. Any interest earned on money in the Fund must be credited
to the Fund.
3. Money that remains in the Fu nd at the end of a fiscal year
does not revert to the State General Fund, and the balance in the
Fund must be carried forward to the next fiscal year.
4. The Director may accept gifts, bequests, grants,
appropriations and donations from any source for de posit in the
Fund.
5. Local governments that celebrate Juneteenth Day shall, to
the extent practicable, contribute to the Fund and otherwise
collaborate on the development and coordination of formal
celebrations for Juneteenth Day.
Sec. 1.9. 1. The Subcommittee to Study and Develop Policy
Recommendations for African -Americans of the Joint Interim
Standing Committee on Education is hereby created to conduct the
study described in section 2 of this act during the 2025 -2026
interim.
2. The Subcommittee consists of the following ten members
appointed by the Chair of the Joint Interim Standing Committee on
Education:
(a) Two members of the general public from a list of at least
three persons recommended by the President of the University of
Nevada, Las Vegas, or his or her designee;
(b) Two members of the general public from a list of at least
three persons recommended by the President of the University of
Nevada, Reno, or his or her designee;
(c) Two members of the Senate recommended by the Majority
Leader of the Senate;
– 5 –
- 83rd Session (2025)
(d) Two members of the Assembly recommended by the
Speaker of the Assembly;
(e) One member of the Senate recommended by the Minority
Leader of the Senate; and
(f) One member of the Assembly recommended by the Minority
Leader of the Assembly.
3. Members of the Subcommittee must be recommended and
appointed on the basis of their education, training and experience in
the fields of African -American studies or reparatory justice or any
interrelated disciplines or subject matter areas or any other relevant
policy or professional experience.
4. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the
Subcommittee must be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment.
5. For each day or portion of a day during which a member of
the Subcom mittee who is a Legislator attends a meeting of the
Subcommittee or is otherwise engaged in the business of the
Subcommittee, the member is entitled to receive:
(a) The compensation provided for a majority of the Legislators
during the first 60 days of the preceding regular session;
(b) The per diem allowance provided for state officers and
employees generally; and
(c) The travel expenses provided pursuant to NRS 218A.655.
6. While engaged in the business of the Subcommittee, the
members of the Subco mmittee who are not Legislators are entitled
to the per diem allowance and travel expenses provided for state
officers and employees generally.
7. All compensation, per diem allowances and travel expenses
provided pursuant to subsections 5 and 6 must be paid from the
Legislative Fund.
8. The Chair of the Joint Interim Standing Committee on
Education shall appoint a Chair and Vice Chair of the Subcommittee
from among the members of the Subcommittee appointed pursuant
to paragraphs (c) to (f), inclusive, of subsection 2. The Chair of the
Subcommittee must be appointed from one House and the Vice
Chair of the Subcommittee from the other House. If a vacancy
occurs in the office of the Chair or Vice Chair of the Subcommittee,
the vacancy must be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment.
9. Except as otherwise ordered by the Legislative Commission,
the Subcommittee shall meet not earlier than November 1, 2025,
and not later than August 31, 2026, at the times and places specified
by a call of the Chair.
– 6 –
- 83rd Session (2025)
10. A majority of the members of the Subcommittee constitutes
a quorum, and a quorum may exercise all the powers and authority
conferred on the Subcommittee.
Sec. 2. 1. The Subcommittee created by section 1.9 of this
act shall study:
(a) The economic, political, social, educational and historical
impacts of slavery, Jim Crow laws, de jure and de facto racial
segregation and other forms of racial discrimination in the State of
Nevada, as well as the prior organized and unorganized territories
that constitute a part of the current state boundaries of the State;
(b) Discriminatory habits or practices, including, without
limitation, forced slavery, chattel slavery, indentured servitude,
redlining, segregated school systems and segregated public go ods
and spaces, that may have caused significant economic or societal
disparities of formerly enslaved Africans or their descendants; and
(c) The related economic effects to present day society in the
State of Nevada as a result of the matters studied pur suant to this
subsection.
2. On or before August 31, 2026, the Subcommittee shall
present its findings and make recommendations , including specific
policy recommendations, relating to its findings to the Joint Interim
Standing Committee on Education for:
(a) Methods to educate the general public of the State of Nevada
of the Subcommittee’s findings and recommendations;
(b) Advancement of racial healing, understanding and
transformation; and
(c) Forms of rehabilitation or restitution to the descendants of
formerly enslaved Africans, if warranted, based on the findings
of the Subcommittee. If the Subcommittee finds that any form of
rehabilitation or restitution is warranted, then the form and scope of
such measures.
3. The Joint Interim Standing Commit tee on Education shall
include the findings and recommendations of the Subcommittee
presented pursuant to subsection 2 in the report for the 2025 -2026
interim submitted by the Joint Interim Standing Committee on
Education pursuant to NRS 218E.330.
4. The Subcommittee may conduct investigations and hold
hearings in connection with its functions and duties and exercise any
of the investigative powers set forth in NRS 218E.105 to 218E.140,
inclusive.
5. The Subcommittee may collaborate and consult with and
invite participation by historians, scholars and any other interested
parties.
– 7 –
- 83rd Session (2025)
6. Each state agency, as defined in NRS 277.186, shall
cooperate with the Subcommittee and timely provide any
information that may be requested by the Subcommittee relating to
its duties.
7. The Subcommittee may:
(a) Request assistance from the Division of State Library,
Archives and Public Records of the Department of Administration.
Upon such a request, the Division shall provide to the
Subcommittee such assistance to the extent that resources are
available.
(b) Direct the Legislative Counsel Bureau to assist in its
research, investigations, review and analysis.
8. The Subcommittee may apply for any available grants and
accept any gifts, grants or donations to assist th e Subcommittee in
carrying out its duties.
Secs. 3 and 4. (Deleted by amendment.)
Sec. 5. 1. This section becomes effective upon passage and
approval.
2. Sections 1.9 to 4, inclusive, of this act become effective on
July 1, 2025, and expire by limitation on December 31, 2026.
3. Sections 1 to 1.8, inclusive, of this act become effective on
October 1, 2025.
20 ~~~~~ 25