AAPI Communities Advocate for Policy Impact

“Power & Policy 2025” Legislative Review Forum Held in Las Vegas

Las Vegas Report

On the evening of June 25 (PDT), nearly a hundred community members gathered at Bottega Exchange in Las Vegas for the Power & Policy 2025: Legislative Review & Community Dialogue Forum, hosted by One APIA Nevada and the AAPI Chamber of Commerce. The event brought together Nevada’s AAPI residents to examine key legislation and advocacy efforts from the 2025 state legislative session. Through direct Q&A with lawmakers and policy briefings, the forum helped bridge the gap between communities and decision-makers, highlighting the growing civic engagement of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Direct Dialogue with Lawmakers: Community Questions Lead the Conversation

The forum opened with a “Community Q&A” segment, giving attendees a chance to engage directly with state legislators. Questions from the public touched on issues ranging from education equity and healthcare access to language assistance and voting rights. Lawmakers responded in detail, acknowledging the importance of hearing directly from constituents and explaining the challenges behind each legislative proposal.

Participating lawmakers included:

• Senator Rochelle Nguyen (primary sponsor of SB182)

• Assemblymember Reuben D’Silva

• Assemblymember Brittney Miller

Senator Rochelle Nguyen, speaking about her push for SB182, a bill aimed at nursing workforce reform, emphasized:

“Even when we know some bills may not pass—or may be vetoed—we must continue to advocate, because that’s where change begins.”

From News Anchor to Community Moderator: Creating a Welcoming, Informed Space

The event was hosted by Patranya Bhoolsuwan, a seasoned journalist and former anchor for KLAS-TV. Her media expertise brought a dynamic and engaging energy to the discussion, keeping the conversation accessible yet insightful.

Joining as a guest panelist was Gregory Ferraro, president of The Ferraro Group and a veteran policy advisor, who shared real-world perspectives on navigating policy communications. His remarks helped the audience better understand the gaps and connections between government processes and community advocacy.

Legislative Tracker Report: A Clear Picture of Progress and Setbacks

Natalie Nguyen, a recent graduate of UNLV in Political Science, the legislative tracker at One APIA Nevada, presented a detailed update on 14 priority bills supported by AAPI advocates during the 2025 Nevada Legislative Session. The report categorized the bills into three outcomes: enacted into law, passed but vetoed, and failed to pass.

• Signed into Law:

AB289 | College Financial Literacy Education
Requires Nevada state colleges to offer a mandatory personal finance course—including budgeting, taxes, and credit—as a graduation requirement. Signed into law on June 5.

AB367 | Election Language Access Reform
Establishes language coordinators, bilingual poll workers, and a multilingual ballot interface, along with a state language advisory council. Aims to reduce language barriers in voting. Signed on June 2.

AB458 | Solar Access for Affordable Housing
Simplifies the process for renters to participate in solar energy programs, promoting sustainability and lower utility bills. Signed on June 6.

AB486 | Wildlife Crossing Infrastructure Assessment
Directs the Department of Transportation to evaluate plans for safe wildlife road crossings to reduce collisions and protect ecosystems. Signed on June 5.

SB132 | Community Clean Energy Grants
Allocates $5 million to support small-scale solar and battery storage projects at the community level. Signed and enacted on June 9.

SB188 | Medical Interpretation Standards
Requires qualified language interpretation (including American Sign Language) in healthcare settings, prohibits charging patients or asking family members to interpret. Signed on May 30; effective October 1.

• Passed Both Chambers But Vetoed by Governor:

AB82 | Establishing Cultural Observance Days (Diwali, Eid al-Fitr, Vaisakhi, Vesak)
Intended to recognize diverse religious holidays. Vetoed on June 2.

AB83 | Larry Itliong Day
Proposed October 25 as a day honoring Filipino labor leader Larry Itliong. Vetoed on June 2.

AB112 | Expanding Family Sick Leave Use
Would have allowed employees to use sick leave to care for immediate family. Vetoed on June 5.

AB217 | Restricting Warrantless School Searches
Aimed to protect student and family rights by requiring warrants for law enforcement actions on school campuses. Vetoed on June 5.

AB278 | Muslim American Heritage Month
Proposed designating July as a month to honor Muslim American contributions. Vetoed on June 2.

AB388 | Paid Family and Medical Leave
Proposed a statewide paid leave program for new parents and caregivers. Vetoed on June 11.

SB182 | Nurse Staffing Ratio Reform
Would have required staffing committees, patient-nurse ratios, annual reports, and whistleblower protections in large-county hospitals. Passed both houses but vetoed on June 12.
At the forum, Senator Nguyen reaffirmed:
“We know it’s an uphill battle, but as long as we keep showing up and pushing forward, change is possible.”

• Failed to Pass the Legislature:

AB156 | Clark County School Board Compensation Reform
Proposed raising school board members’ annual salary from about $9,000 to $90,000 to attract more qualified candidates. Passed the Assembly but failed to clear the Senate.

From Listening to Action: A Model of Civic Participation

“Power & Policy 2025” was more than a legislative update—it was a demonstration of democratic practice in real time. By creating space for direct engagement with lawmakers, AAPI communities moved from being passive observers to active participants in shaping policy based on lived experience and shared values.

One APIA Nevada emphasized its continued commitment to hosting similar events, so that more AAPI Nevadans can understand, engage in, and influence policymaking—fulfilling the vision of a truly community-driven democracy.

—Provided by One APIA Nevada