During a recent joint meeting of the Nevada Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means, lawmakers discussed critical updates regarding language access programs across the state. A significant focus was placed on Assembly Bill 266, which expands language access services to citizen counties with populations exceeding 100,000, including major urban areas like Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Reno.

The meeting highlighted the progress made by these counties in implementing tailored services, such as translation and interpretation, bilingual skills training, and outreach programs. However, officials expressed concerns about the sustainability of these initiatives due to funding limitations. Currently, $25 million allocated through Assembly Bill 480 is designated solely for state agencies, leaving local municipalities without access to these crucial funds.

Iris Jones, director of the Governor's Office of New Americans, reported that as of January 2025, only $5.3 million of the allocated funds had been utilized, raising questions about the need for language access services among state agencies. Lawmakers voiced frustration over the slow uptake of these funds and the potential for $20 million to revert back to the state budget if not spent by the June 2025 deadline.

The discussion also touched on the need for extending the timeline for fund utilization and expanding access to local governments. Assembly members emphasized the importance of ensuring that all agencies have language access plans in place and that local municipalities receive the necessary support to implement these programs effectively.

As the meeting concluded, lawmakers called for a follow-up on the status of language access plans and funding requests, underscoring the ongoing need for accessible services for Nevada's diverse population. The next steps will involve further discussions and potential adjustments to funding strategies to better support both state and local efforts in enhancing language access across the state.