Nevada's Assembly Committee on Ways and Means convened on May 19, 2025, to discuss critical funding measures aimed at enhancing the state's election infrastructure and addressing budget shortfalls. The committee reviewed Assembly Bill 560, which seeks supplemental funding to cover increased personnel, travel, transportation, and utility expenses, totaling approximately $4.44 million. The bill received no opposition or support during the hearing, indicating a lack of public engagement on this specific funding request.

The more significant focus of the meeting was on Assembly Bill 562, which proposes $26.74 million in appropriations to the Office of the Secretary of State. This funding is intended to support the completion of the Voter Registration and Election Management System (VRAMS) project, which aims to improve the transparency, security, and accessibility of elections in Nevada. Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar highlighted the project's importance, noting that it would streamline processes for county clerks and enhance voter experiences through an updated voter portal.

During the discussion, committee members expressed a desire for efficiency in election results processing, aiming to increase the percentage of ballots counted on election night from 90% to 99%. The Secretary of State's office detailed how the funds would be allocated, including costs for vendor services, mock elections, and improvements to the automatic voter registration system.

However, the bill faced opposition from some stakeholders who raised concerns about the previous allocation of $30 million for the VRAMS project, of which only a fraction had been spent. Critics argued for accountability regarding the unspent funds before approving additional appropriations, emphasizing the need for transparency in how taxpayer dollars are utilized.

As the committee prepares to move forward, the discussions from this meeting underscore the ongoing efforts to enhance Nevada's election infrastructure while balancing fiscal responsibility and public accountability. The next steps will involve further deliberation on the proposed funding and potential amendments to ensure the effective implementation of the VRAMS project.