Senate education committee hears bill letting Board of Regents establish college financial‑literacy course

Assembly Bill 289 would authorize the Nevada Board of Regents to establish a course of study in financial literacy that degree‑seeking students could take as part of general education and that non‑degree students could use for professional development or personal enrichment. The Senate Committee on Education opened the hearing on AB 289 on April 30, 2025.

Assemblymember Wynne, the bill sponsor, said the measure builds on last session’s AB 274 and is intended to give college students the tools to manage student loans, credit, rent and other financial decisions. "We owe it to our students to make sure they aren't just academically prepared, but prepared for life," Wynne said during the presentation.

Two college students who helped present the bill described gaps in current preparation. Vivien Perez, an intern and UNR student, said she has relied on her parents for financial decisions and has seen peers struggle to pay rent or manage debt. "I will most likely continue to need financial guidance from my parents," Perez said. Nelson Chen, a UNLV accounting student, said his high school covered only a few class periods on interest and loans and called budgeting and investing "confusing." "College students are already managing paychecks, rent, tuition and debt. We need this knowledge now," Chen said.

Officials from higher education expressed support. Alejandra Rodriguez of the Nevada System of Higher Education testified in support, thanking the bill sponsor for working with the system on language. Sheila Bray said her campus already includes financial topics in its freshman orientation and reported positive results.

During questions Senator Titus asked whether the Legislature can require the Board of Regents to offer a course and whether the bill intends the course to carry academic credit. Wynne responded that the bill’s text uses "may establish," meaning the Legislature is suggesting, not mandating, the Regents develop a course, and that decisions about credit, accreditation and curriculum would be left to the Board of Regents and institutional processes. Wynne cited UNLV’s existing course, Financial 111, as an example of a model curriculum and offered to provide the committee with course materials.

No members of the public called in to testify in opposition or neutral; higher‑education and business groups, parents and charter‑school students offered support. Supporters included representatives from the Nevada System of Higher Education, a university speaker who noted an existing Financial 111 course, the Vegas Chamber and local charter‑school students who urged adoption.

The committee closed the hearing after testimony and questions. The bill text would leave implementation details — credit hours, exact curriculum and transferability — to the Board of Regents and the accreditation process.