[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6627509,"mediaKeyId","2723713-0b1ca23b2e0a74e2cf0eb2908458257e","parentId",2723713,"title","Assembly hearing: AB 367 would codify language-access services for Nevada elections","audioSeconds",3580,"startMs",1710000,"endMs",5290000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2723713-0b1ca23b2e0a74e2cf0eb2908458257e&start=1710&end=5290","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2723713-0b1ca23b2e0a74e2cf0eb2908458257e/thumbnail_1710000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6627509/Nevada/Assembly-hearing-AB-367-would-codify-language-access-services-for-Nevada-elections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627509-8d34beb9214ad346758f2388eb5b08a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775305797&Signature=QPETn8rKxNK05CrMBvdKLLUFWd-7pm44pLwnOaDa3x8Advablm1XIbcz8XG7xTuqXaUWK1XkeOxG~hHjnu7RNCHk1c85Nwgx67JIPD2Vq4kh1m0T1IpIs3dksexDIuNKabi-4tSIrsK1uSg-rqu1vAM7Hazixl37cDAfxoDLb9ozzovWC2QxdWWhqrMxus1ardkj5ldE6JlkjGrDwiorKxjA6rTjTWLUDJ4afSMRujB7shkOTiz7ML6WvDVLFeJsyS6dHjqgGGgq6hQgPQ2exEb~G-OrIhmqM1E7bRXLFmHWArQgmjXFY1qKVDrqoZpRFNXxcnSVfB3BaIG2AglaZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada Legislature","date","2025-03-21T01:18:36.203Z","article","Assemblymember Cecilia Gonzales (D–Assembly District 16) introduced Assembly Bill 367 on March 19, 2025, proposing to codify and fund expanded language-access services for Nevada elections so voters who are limited English proficient or who use American Sign Language can access voting information and assistance.

Why it matters: Nevada ranks among the nation’s most diverse states by the 2020 U.S. Census. Supporters said codifying services that the Secretary of State’s office already provides on a voluntary basis will make those resources permanent, reduce voter confusion, and promote broader civic participation.

What AB 367 would do: As presented by Assemblymember Gonzales and co-presenter Chanel Casanello of All Voting Is Local, the bill (as conceptualized in the sponsors’ amendment) would do five primary things:

- Codify a year-round telephone interpretation and translation hotline operated by the Secretary of State’s office providing services in more than 200 languages, including American Sign Language, for voting-related questions.

- Require the Secretary of State’s website to provide translated election information in at least the seven most common languages in Nevada: Spanish, Tagalog (Filipino), Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese), Vietnamese, Korean, Thai and provide American Sign Language resources.

- Authorize voters to use personal devices, such as cell phones and tablets, inside polling places to access interpretation services for voters who are deaf, hard of hearing, or limited-English-proficient.

- Require all statewide communications from the Secretary of State to be issued in English and Spanish.

- Fund a Language Access Coordinator position in the Secretary of State’s office to plan and manage language-access programming.

What presenters and witnesses said: Assemblymember Cecilia Gonzales said, “Every Nevadan has a fundamental right to participate in the electoral process,” and framed the bill as a way to reduce language barriers that discourage participation.

Chanel Casanello, campaign manager at All Voting Is Local Action Nevada, explained the sponsors’ conceptual amendment and said the hotline, website translations and a coordinator would serve voters who are not covered by federal language-access thresholds. She described the hotline (launched in 2024) as an existing resource that the bill would codify.

Mark Wlaschin (transcript spelling), Deputy Secretary of State for Elections, testified about the Secretary of State’s current approach: the office uses state procurement contracts, national guidance from the Election Assistance Commission, and community consultation to produce translations and account for dialect and local preferences.

Dozens of community witnesses testified in support. Students and advocates cited direct experience translating for family members and urged the committee to pass the bill to avoid placing translation burdens on children. Organizations offering support included Make the Road Nevada, Silver State Voices, Campion Legal Center, Mi Familia Acción, ACLU of Nevada, and the Nevada Commission for Persons who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Secretary of State, represented from Las Vegas by Chief Deputy Gabriel DeCara, communicated the Secretary’s support.

Opposition and questions: Opponents who called or testified opposed the measure on fiscal or assimilation grounds; testimony included concern about printing costs for many languages and an argument that English instruction should be prioritized. Supporters and committee members pressed for technical clarifications, including who performs translations, how dialects are handled, and how American Sign Language interpretation would be provided at scale.

Committee process and next steps: The hearing record closed after about 30 minutes of public testimony in each position (support, opposition, neutral) as noted by the chair. No final committee vote on AB 367 was recorded in the transcript; the bill remained at the hearing stage with sponsors and the Secretary of State’s office available for follow-up questions.

Ending: Supporters urged the Legislature to codify the Secretary of State’s language-access tools to ensure reliability going forward; the Secretary’s office said it would continue to provide technical answers about implementation and dialect handling.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","3/20/2025 - Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections","oneSentenceSummary","Assemblymember Cecilia Gonzales (D–Assembly District 16) introduced Assembly Bill 367 on March 19, 2025, proposing to codify and fund expanded language-access services for Nevada elections so voters who are limited English proficient or who use American Sign Language can access voting information and assistance.","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},6627504,"Assembly hearing: AB 254 would create competitive community-project grants for Nevada nonprofits",2734,2800000,5534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2723713-0b1ca23b2e0a74e2cf0eb2908458257e&start=2800&end=5534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2723713-0b1ca23b2e0a74e2cf0eb2908458257e/thumbnail_2800000.jpg","/articles/6627504/Nevada/Assembly-hearing-AB-254-would-create-competitive-community-project-grants-for-Nevada-nonprofits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627504-d1a059e0a026f3272d4a201a3146923f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775305797&Signature=SajcsUuACZbIB2hu99bqi2EQrwR9Fu0HrTZLqc1kL8IBPx-2pFMhPSdS~VsbIVuBOMnvWLIQK1QkdtB3w37apgKkku0EcGFrGqt5lToW~Hj-dMWoOhqJ-eRAMMess9Kj5WpMo0t75IdwOaqoc~yqhADY33fB78ukYlXJYg4HFc-pHWbG-o5IazKVQmE8sJuDENgtDhynmO1kNQ8TXbesF9k9A3OkSUjz6d9TJdyo8tAonFCSF3l9RWDz~ZJuwQgHIozNBu9LvQ5ZV9wM2iNAiK~FuOzdzjkyuNavRRxhC534B8lQsBJ00ep4uvmiEnCZMbs4Y4SUZt3vzPngqdKIIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assembly Bill 254, presented on March 19, 2025, by Chair Erica Mosca and co-presenter Miles Dixon of Nevada Grant Lab, would authorize a competitive, merit-based grant program to provide state-administered community project funding to qualifying public nonprofits. The Office of Federal Assistance (OFA) in the Governor’s Office was identified in the sponsors’ amendment as the likely administrator.

Why it matters: Nonprofit organizations deliver many services across Nevada — from child literacy to food distribution to wraparound supports — yet witnesses and sponsors said the sector is under-resourced compared with similar regions. The proposed program is intended to streamline access to government-funded grants for community-serving nonprofits on a merit basis and to increase transparency and accountability.

What the bill and amendment propose: The sponsors described the measure as creating a competitive grant program administered through an existing state office (the Office of Federal Assistance). The bill text in the amendment specifies that the OFA may adopt regulations, design scoring rubrics to account for scale differences between large and small nonprofits, and accept funding from federal and other sources rather than relying primarily on general-fund appropriations.

Support and testimony: Dozens of nonprofit leaders and stakeholders testified in support, saying the program would provide an equitable application pathway and spur collaboration across the state. Supporters included United Way (Northern Nevada and Southern Nevada), Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Spread the Word Nevada, Foster Kinship, Boys Town Nevada, charter-school advocates, and many smaller community organizations and civic leaders who noted the program would help build capacity and deliver services more effectively.

Committee and agency responses: Akia Sanders, Director of the Office of Federal Assistance, testified that OFA is neutral on the program’s eventual housing but that the office’s existing role as the centralized state office for federal financial assistance and the state grant-matching program could align with the proposal. Sanders said OFA would collaborate to ensure efficiency and transparency if the Legislature designates OFA to administer the program.

Opposition and concerns: Opposition witnesses raised fiscal and philosophical objections to allocating taxpayer dollars to nonprofits, citing concerns about expanding government funding for organizations with divergent policy goals and the potential for “empire building.” One caller suggested limiting government funding to smaller percentages of a nonprofit’s revenue; another objected on the grounds that organizations already receive extensive government funding. Sponsors stressed the amendment’s merit-based rubric and accountability measures.

Implementation and next steps: The amendment identifies the Office of Federal Assistance as the proposed administrator and envisions an application and merit-review rubric that can include different criteria for smaller or newer nonprofits. The bill as amended leaves funding sources flexible, stating OFA could accept federal funds or other contributions for award pools; sponsors said they sought to avoid creating new recurring general-fund obligations.

Ending: Supporters urged passage to level the playing field and create a reliable, transparent process for nonprofits to compete for public funds. Opponents urged caution and stronger fiscal limits. The committee heard roughly 30 minutes of pro and con testimony; the transcript shows no final committee vote on AB 254 during the hearing.","Assembly Bill 254, presented on March 19, 2025, would authorize a competitive, merit-based grant program to provide community project funding to qualifying public nonprofits, with the Office of Federal Assistance proposed as administrator.",{"_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},6627513,"Work session: Assembly committee advances multiple election and administration measures",1094,553000,1647000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2723713-0b1ca23b2e0a74e2cf0eb2908458257e&start=553&end=1647","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2723713-0b1ca23b2e0a74e2cf0eb2908458257e/thumbnail_553000.jpg","/articles/6627513/Nevada/Work-session-Assembly-committee-advances-multiple-election-and-administration-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627513-02188350702bff3b4b3f3af5c21548a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775305797&Signature=AEjMqxX9~DwXD6F4ZcwbRg5da~WwSRjkQA-ej~ob30QFivR8mrQSgIwAk3MuOpyN9mfTLbp5Wt5Yk7DODUpbdWVt-00itkmaKU1RaKpwqJ3IveolsmO0nLrxiH4F-xJn7fO~1XnzgrRKqn8Iy1DH4ZAis0N8Y6LbrCvUIrkm7JFRWKd9gy5j~dZtL02J~FiV-ndg3Evig0IossSye4Qi~1MmEuJVm38F~IGb~Yk0Fu9LDOg7aPpiAKE~zaKkgPEzGAyRiZCz3--GNTR1JH1BJtZ0tNjWT2mfRFJK5Gq6TDiEzEIsdiDvuDWcXfT1p~zxWKcDBznswgsjlrQrAQz2YQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections on March 19, 2025, voted to introduce or recommend passage for a package of measures ranging from a federal-request joint resolution to updates in how local clerks distribute ballots.

The work session produced formal committee actions on a series of items, including Assembly Joint Resolutions 6 and 7 and Assembly Bills 148, 256, 261, 262, 287 and 348. Committee members also approved the introduction of BDR 24570 so it may enter the legislative bill process.

Why it matters: The committee’s “do pass” recommendations move those measures to the next stage of the Legislature’s process or put a proposal into the formal bill pipeline. Several items affect how elections are conducted or how compensation and other legislative-administration matters are set, including a proposed constitutional amendment on salary-setting by a citizens commission.

Key actions and formal outcomes

- BDR 24570 — Motion to introduce BDR 24-5-70 (revising provisions relating to elections) — Motion carried; the measure was introduced so it may become a bill and enter committee hearings. (Transcript introduction: committee roll-call and BDR introduction, first related remarks at timecode ~553.41; introduction motion concluded ~611.)

- Assembly Joint Resolution 6 (AJR 6) — Urges Congress to apply the Social Security Fairness Act retroactively to December 2013 forward. Motion to do pass AJR 6 carried; recorded no votes from Assemblymembers Hibbets (Hibbits), Cole, Edgeworth and Dickman. (AJR 6 discussion and vote begin ~651.88; vote and assignment of floor statement conclude ~768.38.)

- Assembly Joint Resolution 7 (AJR 7) — Proposes Nevada Constitutional amendment to create a citizens commission on compensation for select statewide officers and legislators, includes filing schedules and public-meeting requirements. Motion to amend and do pass AJR 7 carried; floor statement assigned to Assemblymember Watts. (Presentation begins ~790.13; motion and vote recorded ~930–956.)

- Assembly Bill 148 (AB 148) — Requires city and county clerks to distribute sample ballots within a specified window before mail ballots are mailed; amendment proposed to set a distribution window “not earlier than the fifth Monday and not later than the fourth Monday” before an election. Motion to amend and do pass AB 148 carried; floor statement assigned to Assemblymember Hafen. (Presentation and amendment ~960.58–1008.01; motion and vote ~1008–1034.)

- Assembly Bill 256 (AB 256) — Directs creation of a Regional Rail Transit Advisory Working Group to study regional rail transit and produce an actionable plan. Motion to amend and do pass AB 256 carried; floor statement assigned to Assemblymember LaRue Hatch. (Presentation and amendment ~1038.53–1166.20; motion and vote ~1166–1186.)

- Assembly Bill 261 (AB 261) — Revises procedures for clerks to resolve signature questions and places some notice-mailing duties with the Secretary of State for automatic voter-registration transactions. Motion to do pass AB 261 carried; recorded no votes from Assemblymembers Hibbets, Cole, Edgeworth and Dittney. (Presentation begins ~1192.49; vote recorded ~1254–1279.)

- Assembly Bill 262 (AB 262) — Authorizes certain election officers to serve as unpaid volunteers and adjusts appointment rules for some special election officers; also allows persons convicted of certain felonies to be employed by a voter-registration agency under specified conditions. Motion to do pass AB 262 carried; recorded no votes from Assemblymembers Hibbets, Cole, Edgeworth and Dickman. (Presentation begins ~1301.67; vote recorded ~1359.69–1392.36.)

- Assembly Bill 287 (AB 287) — Revises grounds and thresholds for automatic or requested recounts for offices and ballot questions; committee considered two amendments (Secretary of State technical language and alignment of thresholds). Motion to amend and do pass AB 287 carried; floor statement assigned to Vice Chair Gonzales. (Presentation ~1402.68–1521.13; motion and vote ~1535–1552.)

- Assembly Bill 348 (AB 348) — Requires review of the legislator retirement system by an interim retirement committee and abolishes the Legislative Bureau of Educational Accountability and Program Evaluation; motion to do pass AB 348 carried. (Presentation and discussion ~1556.15–1646.98; motion and vote ~1627.76–1646.98.)

What committee members asked and noted: Committee staff delivered nonpartisan summaries and proposed amendments. Multiple members made or seconded motions (for example, Assemblymember Monroe Moreno, Assemblymember Hategui, Vice Chair Gonzales and others). Several bills recorded four consistent dissenting votes (Assemblymembers Hibbets/Hibbits, Cole, Edgeworth, and Dickman) on particular election-administration measures.

Next steps: The committee assigned floor statements for each successful “do pass” item so sponsors may carry the measure to the Assembly floor. For constitutional amendments (for example, AJR 7), committee staff reminded members these proposals must pass two successive legislatures and then be approved by voters to become effective.

Ending note: The committee moved a significant slate of election and administrative measures forward in a single work session; several drew repeated, small-number opposition votes but otherwise were recommended to advance.","The Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections voted to introduce or ‘do pass’ several bills and resolutions in a work session, including two joint resolutions and multiple election-administration bills. Several members recorded no votes on multiple items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly hearing: AB 367 would codify language-access services for Nevada elections

Assembly hearing: AB 254 would create competitive community-project grants for Nevada nonprofits

Work session: Assembly committee advances multiple election and administration measures