In Carson City, the Nevada State Legislature is currently holding its 82nd session, which began February 6 and will adjourn in June, following 120 busy days of hearing judicial bills, drafted amendments, the enactment of new laws, and revisions to current laws. The Nevada State Legislature is a busy place, full of lawmakers, lobbyists, presenters, those testifying, and many others.
What many don’t realize, is that amid that busy building, Nevada proudly boasts of an outstanding program entitled the Nevada Youth Legislature (NYL), which is contributing to the political history within this state, using a handful of Nevada high school students.
The initial creation of NYL came in 2007. It was an inspirational goal from Senator Valerie Wiener, who served in Clark District 3, from 1996-2012. In establishing this groundbreaking program, the vision was to provide training for the Nevada government, which could move far beyond a student’s classroom experience.
As Senator Wiener shared, “It was structured to serve, learn, inspire, and teach. Each participant would learn responsibility, observational skills, peer leadership and gain a new perspective in their own world of influence.”
This youth legislature group would be taught to move a relevant bill forward, which would stipulate a positive change affecting the children of Nevada. They would know how to develop an issue into an actual legislative bill and follow it through the necessary sessions and chambers, where it could be ushered into law. It was her desire, along with other senatorial supporters, to introduce a structure of participation and mentorship that was set within the actual political structure of the state. This initially passed as Senate Bill 247 and began a unique statewide leadership program, including a curriculum of life skills that are truly extraordinary for our youth.
There are many hallmarks within the NYL program, but an important aspect is knowing that it is the only governmental youth program in America that can legislate a proposed bill. This peer group to choose a bill of introduction, they must meet together in the fall, before the state’s legislative sessions begin. It is then that they hold their professional hearing sessions within our State’s Legislative buildings and as a group, they eventually decide upon one bill to bring forth. These hearings and legislative sessions are all recorded and available for viewing within the Fall 2022 dated archives at the Nevada Youth Legislature, Interim Committees, which is found by following the prompts on a web search at: leg.state.nv.us.
The NYL program consists of 21 youth legislators in a two-year term. Each one has been appointed by their own district’s state senator, to represent the youth of their senatorial districts across the state. These are freshmen to seniors, high-school-aged students, under 18, who demonstrate a determination to not only excel in academics but also serve in their community with leadership skills. Once chosen, they agree to sacrificially serve on a two-year, odd-numbered legislative cycle, which aligns with the actual legislative sessions. With over 100 applicants submitting for these coveted appointments, the Nevada Senators are tasked with choosing the right youth for their districts. Since this program stresses that the participants are “The Student Voice in State Government” the dedication requires fully committed participation.
In next week’s The Fallon Post, you will be introduced to an exceptional NYL member, Max Grinstein, whose initial bill was not chosen by his peers, yet he stepped out and brought it forth as a citizen, with the support of four Nevada Senators.
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