Assembly Bill 476, aimed at securing $500,000 annually for the Thomas and Mack Legal Clinic at UNLV, took center stage during the Nevada Assembly Committee on Ways and Means meeting on May 22, 2025. The bill, presented by Assemblymember Howard Watts, seeks to maintain state support for the clinic, which provides essential legal services to the community while offering law students invaluable hands-on experience.

Watts emphasized the importance of the clinic, stating, "These funds are essential to allow existing pro bono services to continue and to allow some of the law school's newer clinics to develop." The legal clinic serves various populations, including survivors of domestic violence and individuals facing eviction, and is crucial for students' practical education.

The proposed amendment to the bill would allow for flexibility in fund allocation, enabling the university to transfer unused funds from one fiscal year to the next. This change aims to ensure that the clinic can adapt to shifting program needs while still fulfilling its mission of providing legal services.

Support for the bill was robust, with numerous testimonies from students and alumni highlighting the transformative impact of the clinic on their legal education and the community. Molly Stubblefield, a 2024 graduate, shared her experience as a student attorney, noting, "The clinic program provides invaluable experiential education to students while at the same time providing necessary, free legal services to community members."

As the committee deliberates, the significance of Assembly Bill 476 is clear: it not only supports the future of legal education in Nevada but also strengthens access to justice for vulnerable populations. The anticipated outcomes of this funding could lead to expanded services and enhanced training for the next generation of attorneys in the state.