Existing law creates the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs whose duties include, without limitation, the oversight of plans for tourism, publications and cultural affairs. (NRS 231.8117, 231.8131) Section 1.6 of this bill creates the Juneteenth Educational and Economic Commission within the Department and provides that the membership of the Commission consists of: (1) three members, each of whom is from the African-American studies department or similar cultural studies program at the Nevada State College, The University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Nevada, Reno, respectively; (2) one representative of Juneteenth Nevada, or any successor nonprofit organization in this State whose mission is focused on Juneteenth Day education, unity and diversity; (3) one member who represents a professional association representing African-American businesses; (4) one member who represents an African-American cultural awareness advocacy group; (5) one member who represents an educational advocacy group with a statewide presence; and (6) one member who represents a museum or cultural history organization in this State. To the extent that funding is available, section 1.6 requires the Department to provide administrative support to the Commission.
Section 1.7 of this bill requires the Commission to: (1) create and distribute written, electronic or printed materials to educate the public on the history and meaning of Juneteenth Day in the State of Nevada and the United States; (2) develop strategies with businesses, nonprofit organizations and community groups to support education on the significance of Juneteenth Day; (3) support the efforts of businesses, community groups and local governments to establish events and programs relating to Juneteenth Day throughout the State; and (4) support programs in the arts to celebrate Juneteenth Day.
Section 1.8 of this bill creates the Juneteenth Educational and Economic Fund for the support of the Commission.
Sections 1.2-1.5 of this bill define certain terms relating to the Commission.
Existing law creates the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Education and authorizes the Committee to: (1) evaluate, review and comment upon issues related to education in this State; (2) conduct investigations and hold hearings in connection with such duties; and (3) make recommendations to the Legislature relating to the improvement of public education. (NRS 218E.320, 218E.615) Existing law requires the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Education to prepare and submit to the Legislature a comprehensive report of its activities in the interim and its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation. (NRS 218E.330) Section 1.9 of this bill creates the Subcommittee to Study and Develop Policy Recommendations for African-Americans of the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Education to conduct the study set forth in section 2 of this bill during the 2025-2026 interim. Section 1.9 prescribes the membership and officers of the Subcommittee and the compensation of the members. Section 1.9 also provides for the filling of vacancies and requirements for meetings.
Section 2 requires the Subcommittee to: (1) study certain matters relating to historical discrimination in this State and the related economic effects of the discrimination to present day society in this State; and (2) present its findings and make recommendations relating to its findings to the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Education, for inclusion in its 2026-2026 interim report, for methods to educate the general public about the findings and recommendations of the Subcommittee, advancement of racial healing, understanding and transformation and the form and scope of rehabilitation or restitution to the descendants of formerly enslaved Africans, if warranted, based on the findings of the Subcommittee. Section 2 authorizes the Subcommittee to collaborate and consult with and invite participation by historians, scholars and other interested parties and requires state agencies to provide any information requested by the Subcommittee relating to its duties. Section 2 also authorizes the Subcommittee to: (1) request assistance from the Division of State Library, Archives and Public Records of the Department of Administration, which is required to provide assistance to the extent that resources are available; and (2) direct the Legislative Counsel Bureau to assist in its research investigations, review and analysis.
Section 2 further authorizes the Subcommittee to apply for and accept certain funds for the Subcommittee in carrying out its duties.