Revises provisions relating to governmental administration. (BDR 18-1085)
SB 367 creates a new Rural and Community Media Program within the Nevada Department of Administration. The program is intended to help state departments and agencies improve public outreach, public engagement, marketing, and advertising to rural communities and historically underrepresented communities by using rural and community media outlets. The Director of the Department of Administration would administer the program, maintain a database of qualifying media outlets, conduct outreach and training to state agencies, advise agencies on targeted communication strategies, and build relationships with those outlets.
The bill also directs state departments and agencies that spend money on outreach, marketing, or advertising to direct those expenditures, to the greatest extent possible, toward rural and community media outlets. It requires annual reporting by both the Department of Administration and participating agencies, including lists of outlets used, amounts paid, contract or subcontract information, languages used in materials, and an analysis of program challenges and recommendations. The first agency reports would be due October 1, 2026, and the first Department of Administration report would be due January 1, 2027.
SB 367 would amend Nevada law governing the Department of Administration by adding new reporting, outreach, and coordination duties related to state advertising and public engagement. It would not create a new spending program with a dedicated appropriation, but it would influence how state agencies allocate existing marketing and outreach funds by encouraging use of rural and community media outlets. The bill also expands state reporting obligations and requires public posting of annual program information, affecting the Department of Administration and any state department or agency that spends on outreach, marketing, or advertising.
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be framed in a generally supportive, access-oriented way. Its stated purpose is to improve inclusive and equitable communication with rural and historically underrepresented communities, which suggests a positive policy intent. There is no recorded opposition or amendment activity in the provided context, so no clear split in sentiment can be identified from the available record.
The main potential point of contention is the bill’s directive that agencies direct advertising and outreach expenditures to rural or community media outlets “to the greatest extent possible,” which could raise questions about procurement flexibility, administrative burden, and how agencies determine which outlets qualify. Another possible issue is the breadth of the definition of rural or community media and whether agencies will have enough qualifying outlets available statewide, especially in smaller markets. The reporting requirements and annual data collection may also be viewed as burdensome by some agencies, though no specific objections are documented in the provided materials.