Senate education committee advances AB328 to create Juneteenth commission, interim study of issues affecting Black Nevadans

CARSON CITY — The Senate Committee on Education voted to advance Assembly Bill 328, a measure that establishes an interim subcommittee to study issues affecting African Americans in Nevada and creates a Juneteenth commission to help coordinate observances and related cultural and educational efforts.

Assemblyman Ruben Da Silva, sponsor of AB328, told the committee the bill “originally started off as a…commission study” into the historical role of slavery, Jim Crow and discrimination in Nevada and has been expanded to “be a rather broad study into the issues that affect African Americans in Nevada.” Senator Dina Neal, who described the Juneteenth commission’s membership and duties, said the commission would meet quarterly and could accept gifts, bequests and grants to support activities.

Why it matters: Supporters said the study will produce policy proposals and new data to inform state decisions, while committee members sought clarity that AB328 creates a time-limited interim subcommittee rather than a permanent, budgeted state program. Sponsor and staff testimony emphasized the bill itself does not appropriate general‑fund money or create an immediate entitlement; instead, it is structured as an interim study that would report proposals back to the Legislature.

What the bill does: Under the current draft, AB328 removes the project from the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and places it under the joint interim committee on education as a subcommittee that will terminate at the end of 2026. The measure also creates a Juneteenth commission whose membership includes academic program representatives (African American studies faculty at UNLV, UNR and Nevada State University), representatives of Juneteenth nonprofit organizers, museum and cultural‑history professionals and other community members. The bill allows the commission to produce printed materials and to accept outside funding; it does not create an ongoing state appropriation.

Public testimony: Testimony in support included Ayesha Goins, first vice president of the NAACP, who said the organization supports the bill and “look[s] forward to having this become a commission as soon as possible.” Doug Unger, UNLV chapter president of the Nevada Faculty Alliance, said the panel could help preserve Black history and uncover issues affecting K‑12, higher education and communities.

Discussion vs. decision: Committee members asked for and received clarifying details on (1) the distinction between a temporary interim subcommittee and a continuing commission, (2) membership and appointment authority (appointments by university presidents and legislative leaders), (3) meeting frequency (quarterly) and (4) funding approach (gifts, grants, bequests; local governments may participate where feasible). Sponsors and staff repeatedly emphasized the bill is intended as a study and not a cash restitution or entitlement.

Vote and next steps: The committee adopted a motion to report AB328 out of committee (motion: “Do pass”). The motion was seconded by Senator Cruz Crawford. During the voice vote two members — Senator Buck and Senator Titus — registered opposition (nay) from the floor statement recorded; the motion otherwise carried and AB328 was advanced out of committee for further consideration.

Context and background: Sponsors said the proposal grew from earlier, unsuccessful 2023 legislation and local Juneteenth organizers’ requests for a formal state vehicle to coordinate events and develop policy recommendations. The subcommittee is intended to collect historical evidence and recommend policy options to address economic and educational disparities identified by the study.

For the record: AB328 as presented to the committee does not appropriate general‑fund dollars; sponsors said an earlier fiscal note (when the bill was housed at NSHE) was removed because the item is now a study to be funded within the Legislature’s existing interim study allotments.

— Ending: The bill will proceed from the Senate Committee on Education to the next legislative step, where any proposed statutory changes based on the interim study would need separate legislation and funding.