Bill > SB367

This bill establishes the Rural and Community Media Program within Nevada's Department of Administration to improve public outreach and engagement with rural and historically underrepresented communities. The program requires the Department Director to develop and maintain a database of rural and community media outlets, conduct training for state agencies about the importance of these media sources, advise agencies on strategies for targeted outreach, and cultivate relationships with local media outlets. State departments will be required to prioritize expenditures on rural and community media for marketing and advertising, and must submit annual reports detailing their spending and utilization of these outlets. The bill defines "rural or community media" as nonprofit organizations or small businesses that produce community-focused news and cultural content, with at least half of their content being original local reporting. The Director of the Department of Administration must also submit an annual report to the Legislature by January 1st, beginning in 2027, which will include detailed information about state agencies' use of rural and community media, including the amount spent, languages used, and challenges encountered in the program. The goal is to create more inclusive and meaningful public engagement with state government by supporting local media outlets that serve specific communities.