Assembly member Sandra Howagee told the Senate Finance Committee that Assembly Bill 108 would restore and maintain a $500,000 appropriation over the upcoming biennium for the Nevada Outdoor Education and Recreation Grant Program, which she said gives underserved Nevada students outdoor learning opportunities.

The program, originally created by Assembly Bill 331 during the 2019 legislative session, received state funding for the first time in 2023. Christy Cabrera Georgeson, deputy director of the Nevada Conservation League, told the committee that the program exceeded early expectations: "While advocating for funding last session, the division about direct creation predicted this level of funding would be able to fund approximately 13 grantees and around 2,400 youth each year. However, they have far exceeded that those expectations, reaching nearly 11,000 kids with 26,000 hours spent outside in 2024 alone." She asked the committee to support AB108 to maintain funding at $500,000 per year.

Testimony in support included nonprofit and public-health groups. Grace Michaelson of Ferrari Public Affairs testified for Western Resource Advocates, saying WRA is "in strong support of this measure due to the immense benefits outdoor education provides to Nevada's youth." Lianne McAllister, executive director of the Nevada chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, called the bill a "high return on investment for children's development." There were no callers in opposition or neutral on the record.

Proponents described examples of program grantees taking Title I students to Red Rock Canyon, running outdoor STEM camps for girls and equine therapy programs for children in foster care, and work with indigenous youth on cultural revitalization. Cabrera Georgeson said the program funded 44 projects across every Nevada county in the current biennium and that NCL submitted an impact report to the legislative information system.

No committee action or vote on AB108 was recorded in the transcript of this hearing; the chair closed the hearing and moved on to the next bill.

Looking ahead, supporters urged the committee to maintain the appropriation to preserve partnerships that bring outdoor experiences to students statewide.