Update of 81st session of the Nevada State Legislature

June 9, 2021

Dear Wolf Pack Family,

During the past academic year, the people of our University have gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure that we have furthered our institutional mission. The COVID-19 pandemic has meant challenge and uncertainty for many, and yet we have come together in a way that speaks to the special covenant we hold with the people of Nevada, as well as the culture of collaboration and teamwork that is such an integral part of who we are as a University. The shared sacrifice by all of you has been significant, particularly as we faced a legislative session that at its beginning was not clear-cut as to how deeply further budget reductions would go.

The work of the 81st session of the Nevada State Legislature is now complete. I am optimistic about our future based on the work of our elected leaders. I wish to thank Governor Steve Sisolak and the members of our state legislature for the importance they placed on furthering the efforts of all the member institutions of the Nevada System of Higher Education. I wish to also thank our students, faculty and staff who made every effort to ensure that our story was shared in Carson City. Because of the information and effort that all of you provided, higher education will continue to be a critical piece in Nevada’s recovery from the pandemic.

Highlights of the legislative action

Briefly, here are some of the highlights of legislative action taken.

Restorations - $23.4 Million

The 2021 Legislature used $23.4 million of the State of Nevada’s share of American Rescue Plan funding to restore some of the positions planned to be held vacant or eliminated to meet the 12% reduction target. Furlough reductions will end on July 1, with the previous salary reduction restored in paychecks.

Other funding:

• 1% COLA in fiscal year 2023 for most employees
• Knowledge Fund - $5 Million
• Extension Restorations - $427,542
• Nevada Health Service Corps - $500,000
• Provides an appropriation for allocation to the Health Service Corps to obtain matching federal money for the purpose of encouraging certain medical and dental practitioners to practice in underserved areas.
• Dean’s Future Scholars - $4 Million Creates a statewide program modeled after the University’s Dean’s Future Scholars Program, which provides mentoring, tutoring and other support for prospective first-generation college students.

Bill actions

UNR Med/Renown Affiliation: SB342

Authorizes the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada to enter into an agreement to affiliate with a publicly or privately owned medical facility or related entity for certain purposes.

Waiver for Indigenous Students: AB262

Provides a waiver of the payment of registration fees, laboratory fees and any other mandatory fees assessed each semester against a student who is Native American and member of a federally recognized Indian tribe or nation.

Nevada Dream Act: AB 213-amended into SB347

Prohibits the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada from fixing a tuition charge against certain students; providing that a student does not have to certify his or her citizenship or immigration status or complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to receive certain scholarships or grants; prohibiting certain college tuition and savings programs from excluding persons based solely on the citizenship or immigration status of the person or his or her family.

Land Grant: SB287

Designates the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the Desert Research Institution as land grant institutions. FASFA: AB235 Requires the board of trustees of a school district and the governing bodies of certain charter and private schools to provide support and assistance to certain pupils and their parents and guardians in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Waivers for Veterans: SB193

Requires the Board of Regents to prepare a report concerning students who are veterans; creating a preference in admission to certain programs for certain veterans; prohibiting the assessment of a tuition charge against certain veterans, spouses and dependents.

Name Image and Likeness: AB254

Prohibits certain entities from compensating a student athlete for the use of the name, image or likeness of the student athlete; providing that a student athlete may be compensated for the use of the name, image or likeness of the student athlete by certain organizations; directing the Legislative Committee on Education to appoint a committee to conduct an interim study relating to the use of the name, image or likeness of a student athlete.

With every piece of legislation, there comes the challenge of implementation followed by how effectively the legislation matches the needs not only of the moment, but for the future. We have a lot of work ahead of us. But if the past year-plus is any indication, belief in our mission by all of our people is strong. Your determination, resiliency and work toward better days has made a profound difference.

Thank you for all that you are doing.

Go Pack!

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President