What’s Happening
A new bill in the Nevada state legislature could make it harder for families to send their kids to the school of their choice. Assembly Bill 364, introduced by Assemblywoman Natha Anderson (D) would change how Nevada’s Educational Choice Scholarship Program works.
The program currently gives tax credits to businesses that donate money to scholarship organizations. These scholarships help kids from lower-income families attend private schools if they want to.
The new bill would add restrictions that could slowly kill the program.
The bill specifically prohibits scholarship organizations from providing grants to new students unless they had already funded that student at the same school the previous year. This creates a serious roadblock for expanding the program to help additional Nevada families.
Under current law, the scholarship program helps students from households with incomes below 300% of the federal poverty level attend the school of their choice. The new bill would make it nearly impossible to bring new students into the program.
How AB364 Would Change the Program
The bill makes several major changes that should concern supporters of educational freedom.
First, Section 1 of the bill prohibits scholarship organizations from using tax-credited donations to provide grants for new students unless that same student received a grant at the same school the previous year.
Second, if scholarship organizations can’t find students who qualify under these new restrictive rules, they must notify the Department of Taxation.
Third, and most concerning, the bill requires scholarship organizations to repay tax credits if they have unexpended donations because they can’t find qualifying students under the new rules.
This creates a catch-22: scholarship organizations can’t help new students, but if they don’t spend all their money, they must return the tax credits.
Why This Matters to Conservatives
This bill directly challenges core conservative principles about limited government and parental rights.
It increases government control over educational choices that should belong to parents. It creates more bureaucratic restrictions on a program that empowers low-income families. It uses regulatory power to slowly dismantle a program rather than debating its merits openly.
The fiscal note attached to the bill states it would have “No Effect on Local Government” and “No Effect on the State,” raising questions about why these restrictions are necessary if not to save money.
Current Program Details
Nevada’s Educational Choice Scholarship Program currently allows businesses to receive tax credits for donating to scholarship organizations that help lower-income students attend private schools.
The program is limited to families making less than 300% of the federal poverty level, meaning it helps those who otherwise couldn’t afford educational alternatives. The maximum scholarship amount started at $7,755 in fiscal year 2015-2016 and is adjusted annually for inflation.
What Critics Say
Opponents of school choice programs typically argue that tax credits divert potential funding from public schools. The Nevada State Education Association has consistently opposed the scholarship program.
However, the bill doesn’t redirect funding to public schools – it simply makes it harder for the private scholarship program to function effectively.
What Happens Next
Assembly Bill 364 has been referred to the Committee on Revenue. If passed, the changes would take effect on July 1, 2025.
Without amendments, the bill’s restrictions would likely cause the scholarship program to gradually shrink as students graduate and new students cannot take their place.
What You Can Do
If educational freedom matters to you, consider taking action.
You can contact your representatives in the Nevada Legislature about AB364. You might attend the Revenue Committee hearings when the bill is discussed.
Sharing information about how the scholarship program benefits Nevada families is also helpful. Following updates from school choice advocacy organizations will keep you informed.
While legislators debate providing subsidies to other industries, this bill threatens a program that helps Nevada families access educational opportunities that work best for their children.
The contrast is stark: potential billions in tax breaks for movie companies while restricting educational options for Nevada’s families.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
