[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6659246,"mediaKeyId","2472389-978b840cde69af013cb79d4428151f58","parentId",2472389,"title","Nevada bill would direct excess Education Stabilization funds to teacher recruitment, require district spending plans","audioSeconds",830,"startMs",1092000,"endMs",1922000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2472389-978b840cde69af013cb79d4428151f58&start=1092&end=1922","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2472389-978b840cde69af013cb79d4428151f58/thumbnail_1092000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6659246/Nevada/Nevada-bill-would-direct-excess-Education-Stabilization-funds-to-teacher-recruitment-require-district-spending-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659246-d41a7bf0c578b729799dfdd0ccbcf1db/orig.mp4?Expires=1770933966&Signature=ogG7pMcZYKUJyqJuxTVkbxQfDSYJNpn5Z6S1AcIWyWSx7g6eZonhEFIXEv6J5xX7ta0LZPloBDishQkuuKlocUeDgzVK8CtSTMN32Wm3rolV4nkG3mXR4z0DmFmeGCBje~2vTe-R-NXtsgYb9nRb~ULjL-IQxLv51Q~ynqNcbHk6kXLJWYoBSjFzrf3clk27w8yFgUh~Cw-LatevjwUfaqfE4qq2klLBet3mN6XQJoHDj4k~firBk6HSDlks5R9LFhsDV7btgGd7fpzj6MeHRWqlYOjF5x6o220ZAHMbEhLT3YuFWLQIhaeXzKc1BnnzXCAyD7JWS-PjhV8MGSJHAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada Legislature","date","2025-03-03T18:49:44.833Z","article","Brad Keating, representing the Clark County School District (CCSD), and Nathaniel Waugh, CCSD director of government relations, told the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means that Assembly Bill 47 would direct surplus funds from the state Education Stabilization Account to school districts for teacher recruitment, retention and professional development.

Keating said the bill would use funds that exceed a 20% balance threshold in the Education Stabilization Account and distribute them to districts proportionally by student enrollment. \"AB 47 seeks to direct surplus funds from the Education Stabilization account to provide school districts with the necessary resources to support their workforce,\" Keating said.

The bill sets reporting and approval requirements to limit how districts may spend those funds. Waugh told the committee districts would submit a spending plan to the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) and that NDE must determine whether the plan fits the bill’s categories and comply with reporting requirements. \"That would be whatever the districts would want to propose to use that funding for, and that would go through NDE for their review and approval before disbursement,\" Waugh said.

Committee members sought limits and specificity. Assemblymember Watts noted the Legislature’s recent move away from categorical funding in the pupil-centered funding plan and asked whether the proposal would reintroduce categorical spending. Assemblymember O’Neil pressed for clarity after recounting previous CCSD expenditures he deemed frivolous, asking, \"How specific will the request be for how you're gonna use the money?\" Waugh and Keating said some specificity would be required in the district plans and that NDE rulemaking would further define acceptable uses, citing lessons from earlier instances where out-of-state travel by staff drew scrutiny.

Presenters said the bill does not impose new taxes and only triggers when the Education Stabilization Account reaches 20% of total appropriations and authorizations from the State Education Fund; Keating said the account balance is currently at about 14% and would need to reach the trigger level before reallocations occur. CCSD described workforce pressures: Keating said CCSD serves nearly 300,000 students and employs more than 18,000 teachers, and that districts continue to face turnover and vacancies.

Supporters at the hearing included Susan Keema, executive director of the Nevada Association of School Superintendents, who said superintendents back the bill. Dawn Echeverri, president of the Nevada State Education Association, testified she would like education support professionals included and noted her organization had not taken an official position.

No formal committee vote on AB 47 was recorded at the hearing; presenters answered members’ questions and the committee closed the public hearing.

The committee’s discussion highlighted two recurring points: (1) the bill relies on a statutory trigger tied to the stabilization account’s balance, and (2) further NDE rulemaking would be used to define eligible district expenditures and reporting standards. Committee members repeatedly asked that the department and districts set clear, enforceable limits to prevent misuse or questionable spending.

The hearing record contains questions and answers on allowable spending categories, reporting and the trigger mechanism; the bill’s text would govern the exact mechanics if it advances to later hearings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","3/3/2025 - Assembly Committee on Ways and Means","oneSentenceSummary","Brad Keating and Nathaniel Waugh of the Clark County School District told the Assembly Ways and Means Committee that Assembly Bill 47 would redirect surplus funds in Nevada’s Education Stabilization Account to school districts for teacher recruitment, retention and professional development, subject to state approval and reporting requirements.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NV, Nevada","taxId",78440,"location","Nevada","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659227,"Ways and Means committee introduces four BDRs including education and collective bargaining revisions",9069,984000,10053000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2472389-978b840cde69af013cb79d4428151f58&start=984&end=10053","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2472389-978b840cde69af013cb79d4428151f58/thumbnail_984000.jpg","/articles/6659227/Nevada/Ways-and-Means-committee-introduces-four-BDRs-including-education-and-collective-bargaining-revisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659227-682ebec559a6ceb5e1dfe6c4ef9f315a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770933966&Signature=mEEl8AfT33G5hL~O9K4S4Q1mKzhqZEJWaZff9358etoaXMqaVyiq7S0XtO36mYQCnH2QBNaOe9GjHfr~LbOFw2YCcmXgRvlQ-uvHgBXqx7~B3XOD~5OmluIL30qtteo6qP43VByeYO5sT76wjyFivEaSY780Ju7BYvYNVeldqm1CMG-WM-Srq2cKQ~7t6Cr--hGNY6H5-bnEyduGTsqHWGdayhGfwqCe7Q~ol6UaDap9i~FWPhFd087RfEBSOWk6PepVOxN5RJa~H7PqJ3-6jUkjwu5MjO9DOX5VpHOkdfeleyqZoOSmYs-QcAwQaQHHn7txlTEH4QtkPv27kwiOfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Assembly Committee on Ways and Means voted to introduce four bill draft requests (BDRs) before proceeding to bill hearings.

Early in the session the committee voted to introduce BDR 30-1936, a draft revising provisions related to State Financial Administration, and BDR 17-931, which revises provisions related to the Legislature. Chair Monroe Moreno called for introductions for both items and members approved both motions by voice vote; the chair announced \"Motion carries.\" The committee later approved two additional BDR introductions: BDR 23-935, revising provisions related to collective bargaining, and BDR 30-4937 (reported as 30 four-nine 37 in the hearing), which revises provisions relating to education. Each introduction was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the hearing transcript.

The introductions permit staff to draft and the Legislature to consider bills in those topic areas later in the session. Committee members and the chair reminded attendees that a vote to introduce a BDR does not indicate a commitment to support a future bill on the same topic.

The committee proceeded to hearings on multiple bills after the introductions.","On the first day of hearings the Assembly Ways and Means committee voted to introduce four bill draft requests (BDRs) covering state financial administration, legislative provisions, collective bargaining and education. Introductions were approved by voice vote; no detailed bills were debated at the time.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659232,"Assemblymembers seek statewide universal school breakfasts and lunches; amendment would exclude Clark County and scale funding",3955,5934000,9889000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2472389-978b840cde69af013cb79d4428151f58&start=5934&end=9889","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2472389-978b840cde69af013cb79d4428151f58/thumbnail_5934000.jpg","/articles/6659232/Nevada/Assemblymembers-seek-statewide-universal-school-breakfasts-and-lunches-amendment-would-exclude-Clark-County-and-scale-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659232-03e7b8a6578726855d66549305b6105e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770933966&Signature=hFIO5YnBEtOuQ2R7jliuVonGUI~L3ic09-DCMRuwT8RLkDJ1J88GRN2cO5Ls8AV3yERn9Egf~oWma81hQO~Kt~39DPDCVcFbFP1d~UFZtD6rHy5NLVmwYmQksq~eExhafZrJLSE8C9jGSyHLMTB7Q8AHDv6o2t8KUaU1G6TPGxXBSsbqB9Z0WCSYiqkXIM8aWnXK5J7Y3CzZ63STZPF0u5AT1UsitgP1d0rtNFLcXYRuAYfuls8L7lOMgOQQzf0~jrygrqWgq3rfjMaujNpagOAG7OGDrPYEU8JELa~TEUEGA5zNr1PyPebwTPcly5hUtUikfEFkmEmJ1Li~TMdHJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assembly Bill 268, presented by Assemblymembers Sandra Howdighi and Shay Backus, would establish universal free breakfast and lunch for all students in Nevada public schools. Presenters framed the proposal as an equity and learning-support measure, citing research and district experience that show nutrition improves concentration, attendance and academic performance.

Howdighi said the bill would address families who do not qualify for existing free-or-reduced-price programs but still struggle with food costs. \"By ensuring that every child starts their day with a nutritious meal, we equip them with the tools they need to focus, engage, and excel in their studies,\" she said. Presenters noted Feeding America estimates and cited surveys indicating food insecurity rates in Nevada.

Following consultations with Clark County School District (CCSD), sponsors filed an amendment that removes CCSD from the appropriation and reduces the requested appropriation from $43 million per fiscal year to $16.5 million per fiscal year. Howdighi said CCSD already provides universal meals to its students; the amendment aims to avoid duplicative funding while targeting other districts that lack districtwide community eligibility.

Brad Keating of CCSD described operational practices districts use to limit waste and ensure students are served: offer versus serve (OVS), food-sharing tables and daily tracking. Keating told the committee that on the prior Thursday CCSD provided 85,236 breakfasts, 165,331 lunches, 1,723 snacks and 8,872 suppers, and that the district measures production and plate-level consumption to limit waste.

Supporters included Washoe County School Board president Beth Smith; the Food Bank of Northern Nevada; Nevada State Education Association; Children’s Advocacy Alliance; Nevada Association of School Superintendents; Nevada Association of School Boards; SEIU 1107; OneAPI Nevada; and others. Supporters said universal meals reduce stigma, lower food insecurity and decrease unpaid meal debt; Washoe County reported about $50,000 in unpaid meal debt for the prior semester after federal pandemic-era universal programs ended.

Opponents included Nevada Families for Freedom, Nevada Republican Party representatives and other callers who argued the program is too costly, risks waste and reduces parental responsibility. Opponents referenced national studies and USDA and OMB findings on improper payments and food waste in school meal programs.

Sponsors emphasized the amendment as a cost-savings step that preserves funding for districts that do not offer universal meals. No committee vote was recorded at the hearing; the committee closed after testimony and sponsor remarks.","Sponsors presented AB 268 to provide universal free breakfast and lunch to Nevada public school students. After conversations with Clark County, an amendment removes Clark County from the appropriation and reduces the requested funding from roughly $43 million per year to $16.5 million per year.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659236,"Committee hears $1 million appropriation request for Outdoor Education and Recreation grants; program reports statewide reach",144,2619000,2763000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2472389-978b840cde69af013cb79d4428151f58&start=2619&end=2763","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2472389-978b840cde69af013cb79d4428151f58/thumbnail_2619000.jpg","/articles/6659236/Nevada/Committee-hears-1-million-appropriation-request-for-Outdoor-Education-and-Recreation-grants-program-reports-statewide-reach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659236-e8054871b26b0cbabe244a89b8fec4aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770933966&Signature=eY~Nu6N-Rr7auQ5NOIzlMYVe-ggG3PW~NdwUvoMb0e~Gh8vNCgEu7-SGomhkS4bef44IR13t5i8WQWfy4R1HedOkmjUTp0J57DYLw34hTRPB~iMpZh2EKTiotcIu1Xr6P7TdxJvsZobVwWFvP~ksOYIAn1djVta8fy~9Hbmm9TnYz5S6Zf2lHWyYXXOyk0svVegpGCwTgbG1mewSVg2CBii9cm8N523rymDt9nziAWq8SATLgX4zKvMM1gNtFL~cAgSZWVtEBF86vq4DaF-0a8qsCPejoeftqRXmqI4L-T-1OfHOMqSWdq7OBSMijMs4UkBU5Rpm7m986eDpBfc9dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymembers Sandra Howdighi and Steve Yeager presented Assembly Bill 108, which would appropriate $1 million to the Nevada Outdoor Education and Recreation (NOER) Grant Program. The bill’s sponsors and conservation and education advocates said prior funding has allowed the program to expand across Nevada and that additional funding would increase the number of students reached.

Majority Leader Howdighi said the program, first established in statute in 2019, received an appropriation in the 2023 session and that the division’s 2024 impact report shows results beyond initial expectations. Christy Cabrera-Georgeson of the Nevada Conservation League told the committee that NOER’s prior funding reached nearly 11,000 students and logged about 26,600 hours outdoors in 2024 and funded 44 projects statewide over the biennium.

Speakers and grantees described program types and county reach: Nevada Outdoor School, Tahoe Rim Trail Association, River Wranglers, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, Sierra Nevada Journeys and others provided outdoor education, including Girls in STEM camps, field trips to Red Rock Canyon and equine therapy for children in foster care. Sean Hill of Sierra Nevada Journeys described pre/post survey results showing gains in students’ confidence and interest in STEM after outdoor programs.

Testimony emphasized mental-health and academic benefits and the program’s reach in rural counties. Proponents said the division’s prior allocation — $500,000 over the last biennium — had been leveraged through partnerships and that the proposed $1 million appropriation would meet high demand from applicants: the division previously reported $1.4 million in requests in a single grant round.

No opposition testimony was presented at the hearing. Support came from the Nevada Outdoor Business Coalition, Nevada Association of School Superintendents, Nevada State Education Association, Western Resource Advocates, Walker Basin Conservancy, Sierra Nevada Journeys, and others. Committee members asked about use of funds for outreach and administrative costs; witnesses said most funds support grantees while the division retains limited administrative capacity.

The committee closed the hearing after testimony and questions; no vote was recorded at the hearing.","Supporters told the committee AB 108 would appropriate $1 million to the Nevada Outdoor Education and Recreation Grant Program, which has reported expanded statewide participation after prior funding; advocates said funds foster student mental health and STEM engagement.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659242,"Treasurer backs 'Nevada Baby Bonds' to address generational poverty; proposes modest start-up appropriation",408,1963000,2371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2472389-978b840cde69af013cb79d4428151f58&start=1963&end=2371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2472389-978b840cde69af013cb79d4428151f58/thumbnail_1963000.jpg","/articles/6659242/Nevada/Treasurer-backs-Nevada-Baby-Bonds-to-address-generational-poverty-proposes-modest-start-up-appropriation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659242-3585447e3d652d56d3e46340d5e0337d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770933966&Signature=Km4ENDsoN20um3AAv95OAvrmZ1~yCs89MzZkXQnp3BjvbfC8pZuPPd89YZ~-TNIXyRjFvmxgq5MC4owUc7nYdeP-fAADn1Ow2pwxf~iZsTaILMIyxpw8kY1K5FfCd065igqwc2Acb1ix0MtPD5g28oUfBDF~cihRyil9acCL6Lsce4PcT4JEwR58fCsYd-Z0plMctjjMfYl0zeccul71--gcSJcflS2fEv7TCqF4JlgDzuq8QmdcNgss~zxo6bob0cO4AIEb5LOauFVb8nOMoG3BtWNLijBV8VUEOUKd5JCJDouB-jY4-89VsaunSugJ6MQE~7u004YocOOj3~355Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Zach Conine, Nevada’s state treasurer, introduced Assembly Bill 67 to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee as a statewide baby bonds program intended to address generational poverty by placing a modest seed investment in eligible newborns’ accounts.

Conine said AB 67 would house the program within the State Treasury. Under the bill as presented, a child born in Nevada on or after Jan. 1, 2026 whose birth is covered by Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) would be a designated beneficiary. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) would notify the treasurer’s office, which would invest $3,200 on behalf of each eligible child.

Conine described conservative and higher growth scenarios: at a 6.9% benchmark the investment would grow to roughly $10,635 by age 18; using higher historical returns similar to the Nevada public employee retirement system (8.5%) the assets could reach about $13,895. Claiming would be allowed beginning at age 18 and no later than age 30; recipients must show 12 months’ Nevada residency prior to claiming. Approved uses include postsecondary education and apprenticeships, home purchase, business start or purchase, and investments in financial assets; distributions would be paid directly to third parties for the intended purpose. Conine said recipients would be required to complete a financial literacy course prior to receiving funds.

The treasurer said roughly 42% of births in Nevada are covered by Medicaid — about 13,200 children per year — and that funding every eligible child would cost an estimated $40 million a year. To phase the program in, section 16 proposes a $5 million general fund appropriation to establish baby bonds for about 1,500 children over the next biennium. Conine described the appropriation as a pilot approach to start the program and scale it later.

Committee members asked about confidentiality and outreach. Assemblymember Torres Fawcett raised questions about data-sharing and whether families would be notified; Conine said the bill includes confidentiality provisions and that annual communications would be sent to families to show deposits and growth. Speaker Yeager and other members discussed outreach challenges for beneficiaries who leave the state; Conine said regulatory rules and an online portal could be used to improve notification.

Members asked about administrative costs and tax treatment. Conine said the bill caps administrative expenses at 5% of assets and that a small fiscal note was included; he noted possible federal tax implications and said the office would provide more definitive guidance on taxation. Several organizations testified in support, including the Children’s Advocacy Alliance, Nevada Bankers Association, Northern Nevada Building and Construction Trades Council (which supported inclusion of apprenticeships), Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada, Dignity Health Saint Rose Dominican, Culinary Workers Union Local 226, and NAACP chapter 1111. Opposition testimony urged fiscal caution and criticized universal taxpayer funding for the program.

No committee vote was taken at the hearing. The treasurer asked lawmakers to consider starting small and scaling in a way that produces budget savings over time by reducing long-term costs of poverty, while opponents warned of program cost and administrative risk.","State Treasurer Zach Conine told the Ways and Means Committee AB 67 would establish baby bonds — $3,200 deposits for Medicaid-covered newborns — invested until age 18, with a small initial appropriation proposed to pilot the program for roughly 1,500 children.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Nevada bill would direct excess Education Stabilization funds to teacher recruitment, require district spending plans

Ways and Means committee introduces four BDRs including education and collective bargaining revisions

Assemblymembers seek statewide universal school breakfasts and lunches; amendment would exclude Clark County and scale funding

Committee hears $1 million appropriation request for Outdoor Education and Recreation grants; program reports statewide reach

Treasurer backs 'Nevada Baby Bonds' to address generational poverty; proposes modest start-up appropriation