It is the policy of this State to strengthen and promote inclusive and meaningful engagement by the general public and interested stakeholders in the activities of the State Government through various tools. (NRS 232.003) Section 2 of this bill establishes the Rural and Community Media Program in the Department of Administration to assist a department or agency of this State with public outreach, public engagement, marketing and advertising to members of rural communities and historically underrepresented communities through the use of rural and community media. Section 2 requires the Director of the Department, in administering the Program, to: (1) develop and maintain a database of rural and community media outlets in this State; (2) conduct training, education and outreach to departments and agencies of this State to inform them of the importance of rural and community media and the benefits of inclusive and equitable strategies to increase public engagement in State government; (3) advise such departments and agencies on strategies to better tailor public outreach, public engagement, marketing and advertising to rural communities and historically underrepresented communities; and (4) cultivate relationships with rural and community media outlets. Section 2 requires the Director to submit to the Legislature on January 1 of each year, and post on the official Internet website of this State, a report on the Program that includes, without limitation, certain information regarding the utilization of, and contracts or subcontracts with, rural and community media outlets by a department or agency of this State. Section 4 of this bill applies certain definitions in existing law relating to the Department of Administration to sections 2 and 3 of this bill. Section 3 requires a department or agency of this State that expends money on public outreach, marketing or advertising, to the greatest extent possible, to direct expenditures to rural and community media outlets to improve outreach to and engagement with members of the communities served by those outlets. Section 3 further requires that a department or agency of this State that utilizes or contracts or subcontracts with rural or community media outlets to report to the Director of the Department, on or before October 1 of each year, certain information relating to that utilization and those contracts or subcontracts.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 232.212
BDR: 232.212