Tribal Leaders Oppose AB 532, Urging Preservation of Native American Fee Waiver

The Assembly Committee on Education convened on April 10, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding the Native American fee waiver, a program that has significantly impacted Native students' access to higher education in Nevada. Testimonies from tribal leaders highlighted the importance of maintaining the fee waiver in its current form, emphasizing its role in supporting Native students and communities.

Rochann Downs, a member of the Fowling Pioushoshone tribe and NAGPRA coordinator at the University of Nevada, Reno, shared her personal experiences and the positive outcomes of the fee waiver. She noted that Native students at UNR have increased from 50 to nearly 250, representing 57 distinct tribes. Downs underscored the fee waiver as a fulfilled promise of education to Native communities, linking it to the historical context of tribal citizenship and the ongoing need for educational support.

Thurman Roberts, an enrolled member of the Washoe tribe, urged the committee to oppose Assembly Bill 532, which proposes changes to the fee waiver. He argued that the current structure enables Native individuals to access vocational and professional training programs essential for meeting workforce demands in Nevada. Roberts stressed that limiting the fee waiver's applicability would hinder economic growth and the ability of Native people to re-enter the workforce.

The committee acknowledged the testimonies and the importance of the fee waiver in fostering educational opportunities for Native students. As discussions continue, the committee faces the challenge of balancing funding formulas with the evolving needs of Nevada's diverse communities. The outcome of these deliberations will have lasting implications for the educational landscape and economic development in the state.