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AB 278

Relating to: grants to law enforcement agencies for data-sharing platforms.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lindee Brill and 16 co-sponsors

Designates July as Muslim American Heritage Month in Nevada, urging an annual gubernatorial proclamation; ceremonial, nonbinding, with no fiscal impact; vetoed by the Governor.

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Bill Summary · AB 278

AB 278 — Muslim American Heritage Month (2025) — Summary

Status: Introduced Jan 21, 2025; passed both houses; enrolled and delivered to Governor May 27, 2025; vetoed by the Governor June 2, 2025. (No further action taken after veto.)

Sponsor: Assemblymembers Miller, Nadeem, González, Mosca, et al.
Fiscal impact: None on State or local government (per fiscal notes).

Purpose / Intent

AB 278 is an honorary/ceremonial bill that would designate the month of July of each year as “Muslim American Heritage Month” in Nevada and ask the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging its observance. The bill’s stated aims include recognizing the historical presence and contributions of Muslim Americans in Nevada and the U.S., and promoting public education and cultural awareness about Muslim American communities.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new section to Chapter 236 of the Nevada Revised Statutes designating July of each year as “Muslim American Heritage Month.”
  • Requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging observance of the month.
  • The proclamation may call on the news media, state and local officers, private nonprofit groups and foundations, schools, businesses, and other public and private entities to bring attention to contributions Muslim Americans have made to Nevada and the United States.
  • The bill includes several legislative “whereas” findings describing Nevada’s Muslim community history, examples of local Muslim leaders, and a statistic about reported discrimination against Muslim Americans.

Who would be affected

  • Direct legal effects: Minimal — the bill is declarative and does not create new programs, regulatory duties, or funding obligations.
  • Practical/ceremonial effects: Muslim American communities in Nevada (recognition and heightened visibility); state and local governments, schools, media, nonprofits and businesses could be asked (but not required) to mark the month.
  • Fiscal: No state or local fiscal impact identified.

Impact and limitations

  • Honorary observance only: The bill establishes a state-designated month of observance and an annual gubernatorial proclamation; it does not mandate curricular changes, funding, or regulatory actions.
  • First-order effect is symbolic and educational (public awareness, recognition), not authorizing state resources or policy changes.
  • Because it is nonbinding, participation by schools, media, or private entities would be voluntary.

Legislative history / timeline (selected)

  • Jan 21, 2025: Introduced and read first time.
  • Feb–Apr 2025: Referred to committees; “Do pass” recommendations recorded.
  • Apr 17, 2025 (Senate): Passed (Yeas: 28, Nays: 14).
  • May 21, 2025 (Assembly): Passed (Yeas: 13, Nays: 8). Enrolled May 27, 2025.
  • June 2, 2025: Vetoed by the Governor; returned to Assembly with veto message. No further action recorded.

Support and opposition (recorded public comments)

  • Support rationale (from bill text and sponsors): recognize contributions of Muslim Americans, encourage public education and cultural competency, and respond to reports of discrimination.
  • Opposition themes (public letters submitted): objected on grounds that the measure singles out a religion for special recognition, raised concerns about separation of church and state, assimilation, and cultural divisiveness. Opponents generally argued the designation could amount to state-endorsed favoritism toward a specific religion. The bill’s language does not direct public school curricula or provide funding.

Bottom line

AB 278 sought to create an annual, symbolic observance — Muslim American Heritage Month in July — and to prompt a gubernatorial proclamation encouraging voluntary recognition across public and private institutions. The measure had no identified fiscal effect and contained only honorary provisions; it passed both chambers but was vetoed by the Governor on June 2, 2025 and therefore did not become law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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