Legislative panel hears $500,000 request for Nevada Center for Civic Engagement to expand civics programs

Senate Bill 133 would appropriate $500,000 to the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement over the biennium to support statewide civic learning programs including We the People, Project Citizen, National History Day and Voices in Voting, center representatives said at a May 21 fiscal hearing.

Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop and Christine Hall, executive director of the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, described the center’s work instructing students in inquiry‑based civics, supporting teachers and running statewide competitions and programs. Hall said the appropriation was reduced in committee from $800,000 to $500,000 and that the center has historically leveraged state appropriations to secure matching grants.

"This appropriation will allow us to expand our work across even more districts in Nevada, ensuring that every student can have high quality civic learning," Hall told the committee.

Members asked whether the nonprofit sought supplemental funding; Hall said the center more than doubled prior appropriations with matching grants and private contributions but cautioned federal grant availability had declined. The chair noted the appropriation was not in the executive budget and that the bill included reporting requirements — the center must deliver annual expenditure reports to interim finance and make financial records available to the legislative auditor on request.

Districts, chambers and education associations offered support at the hearing. Testimony included a parent and a teacher who described classroom and competitive outcomes from We the People and National History Day.

Why it matters: Backers say sustained funding for civic education programs advances civic knowledge and participation by training teachers and expanding student engagement activities statewide.

Discussion vs. decision: Fiscal testimony only; no committee action recorded.

Ending: The appropriation will be considered in the legislature’s fiscal deliberations; the center emphasized plans to secure matching funds and to provide annual reporting on expenditures.