[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6325724,"mediaKeyId","2332005-20c14944b91ddd179a13c00f906a80cb","parentId",2332005,"title","State museums seek staff and equipment for openings and repairs; museum officials describe Ely deed dispute and railroad visitor‑center plans","audioSeconds",2953,"startMs",1033985,"endMs",3987155,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2332005-20c14944b91ddd179a13c00f906a80cb&start=1033&end=3987","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2332005-20c14944b91ddd179a13c00f906a80cb/thumbnail_1033985.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6325724/Nevada/State-museums-seek-staff-and-equipment-for-openings-and-repairs-museum-officials-describe-Ely-deed-dispute-and-railroad-visitorcenter-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325724-196d77c9266593e060d08a091d3783e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163121&Signature=bL-GejQbW9jSslkOSdKvfHdo43Kcz40u6Se0vL00A-rUoXLWZ0USZ393zVEA7GIiMgFoRPmo8vjrvJ4RNQjJqpNr9xJO8FznrQhd3qTTCCY2KnYO23Ar9exmoMxNmxSd56Oo6-b80qqPRNWzDL9FHxVwzrsfyRAecRNPqJthmuzjDnAaTLNqg24G~aoLhZID7zuRYb3nyi9xjuOLNpg2htjROWeBYqmL6FNfqMNyYI7x9gqs0aBYfr~XAqTedA49foIJkMhl67OcVb7AfYbTCzPsJzppHDoq6A2QyQF2Z-MvmObnjO8AI0pF7owQu-bQCHIRZXqP5hRSFYYiW068dQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada Legislature","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Dan Thielen, administrator of the Nevada Division of Museums and History, and other department officials briefed the Joint Subcommittee on General Government on staffing, operations and capital needs for the state museum system, including the Nevada State Railroad Museum visitor center in Boulder City and the East Ely Depot Museum.

Thielen said the division operates seven museums with roughly 70 staff statewide and described plans for a visitor center in Boulder City expected to open in 2026. The division anticipates a 50% increase in visitation at the new Boulder City center and asked the subcommittee for positions needed to open and operate the site, including museum attendants, custodians, groundskeepers and curatorial staff. Thielen said some requested curatorial positions did not survive the governor’s recommended budget and the division intends to return with revenue and demand to support them.

On facility needs, officials described near‑term repairs and equipment requests — a new roof membrane, humidifiers, heavy‑duty cleaning equipment, boom lifts and other museum‑specific apparatus — and said some costs derive from bringing railroad operations into full compliance with the Federal Railroad Administration. Thielen noted the FRA has required inspections and specialized engineering work that are expensive and necessary as the museum increases operations.

Thielen also discussed museum retail operations. He described a strategy to increase store inventory turnover so stores can generate sustainable private‑fund revenue to support staffing. The Las Vegas State Museum’s store showed revenue gains in recent fiscal years; Thielen said the division plans to request start‑up inventory funding from private funds and to rotate that inventory multiple times per year to build profit margins sufficient to justify a full‑time store manager.

On Ely and the Nevada Northern site, Thielen described a long‑running relationship with a local foundation that operates tourist‑railroad activities and the First Floor of the depot under deed language that permits the foundation to sell tickets and related business. He said the foundation ceased paying rent in 2017 and that the state has asked the courts to clarify deed language and reestablish a working relationship; Thielen described the situation as a “property management nightmare” and said the state seeks judicial clarification of the deed’s meaning.

Senators and assemblymembers asked about custodial staffing needs, the feasibility of retail revenue covering storekeeper salaries, and timing for staffing the Boulder City center. Thielen said additional custodial staff would reduce comp‑time burdens and provide coverage during public hours; he said the division plans to bring Boulder City positions on by January of the first year of the biennium (to prepare for a spring opening) and to cross‑train staff for multiple duties. Thielen emphasized museum safety and compliance and said some museum equipment requests stem from the need to maintain buildings and exhibits.

No formal votes were recorded during the hearing; the committee closed the account and moved on to subsequent budget items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2/18/2025 - Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Subcommittee on General Government","oneSentenceSummary","Division officials outlined staffing and equipment needs across Nevada museums, projected visitation increases, a planned Boulder City Railroad Museum visitor center opening in 2026, and a deed dispute with a railroad foundation at the Nevada Northern site in Ely.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NV, Nevada","taxId",78440,"location","Nevada","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325726,"Travel Nevada highlights rural destination development and 3D cohorts; staff say grants include post‑award oversight",393,1635700,2028980,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2332005-20c14944b91ddd179a13c00f906a80cb&start=1635&end=2028","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2332005-20c14944b91ddd179a13c00f906a80cb/thumbnail_1635700.jpg","/articles/6325726/Nevada/Travel-Nevada-highlights-rural-destination-development-and-3D-cohorts-staff-say-grants-include-postaward-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325726-f4284929f69b97d55b275b2fed22a24c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163121&Signature=AW0psBDSERJ63VinAQTP2dgDOo~CS-daeBoH5ymwOXLDVLe89xcG51BXgZGjiQwh-tlKexhd~VdBOBloz70ZBesm8S7P5VPbzNC4rRPvjaAstxUKhGGiYkhIItFdzB~klGvIAjy9iiMUfVQBmn5rmXZ7m2iJLvzCsR8xkawHorefzVv0bxmMlENwAY1NxB4giVmUibhqm-mD224F5OSjAHCCsnWW7dgDjRDI4aDCpq7YBTP3ne45CfEur2RFt2W1WJERRJmDqTEweYGo~tJ2vJAqn2jDdzXPkNae~mJSvnde0fdDkszq9fkedtqFdROsOHLiz4wF-1h3fXR85LaiZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rafael Villanueva, deputy director of the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and chief executive of Travel Nevada, told the Joint Subcommittee on General Government that Travel Nevada has expanded beyond promotions to include destination development and a rural‑focused grant and cohort approach known as 3D.

Villanueva said the 3D development cohorts have worked in Lincoln County, White Pine County, Virginia City, Carson Valley, Carson City and are expanding to Walker River Conservancy and the Sutro Tunnel. He told the committee the program helps small towns “attract visitors, diversify their economies, and showcase Nevada's unique cultural and natural assets.”

On oversight, Villanueva said Travel Nevada’s grants team follows up with cohort communities and requires reports and receipts for federally funded portions. “Our team goes out there … filling out the reports getting the receipts of what has been spent so we can then pay down, the dollars and receive those from from the federal grant,” he said. Committee members raised concerns that some municipalities were not spending awarded funds; Villanueva said staff follow up and said Travel Nevada had already paid communities 50% of some funds and is accountable for federal reporting.

Villanueva said Travel Nevada works closely with the lieutenant governor, who chairs the division’s commission, and that most promotion is done through Travel Nevada rather than the lieutenant governor’s office. He also confirmed the agency’s primary marketing contract is with an in‑state firm identified in testimony as the Estapona Group.

On inclusion, Villanueva and Thielen said the department supports local partners and the State Historic Preservation Office in capturing diverse local histories for marketing; officials noted limitations in resources and said the department depends on local DMOs and community partners to surface stories Travel Nevada can promote.

No formal action was taken; the subcommittee moved to the next account after questions and answers.","Travel Nevada officials described a destination‑development program focused on rural cohorts, a planned cohort 4, and grant oversight processes that include follow‑up reporting and federal grant reconciliation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325731,"America250 commission to lead fundraising, grants and a mobile museum project, department says",288,562165,850290,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2332005-20c14944b91ddd179a13c00f906a80cb&start=562&end=850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2332005-20c14944b91ddd179a13c00f906a80cb/thumbnail_562165.jpg","/articles/6325731/Nevada/America250-commission-to-lead-fundraising-grants-and-a-mobile-museum-project-department-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325731-24456ba3b18cc605f5f08f5d31eb9bf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163121&Signature=KLHWU2cjkivdB9noE5IRhizpOYx5pAbawMqF0cx96Vo9h4dmJ-NaIrWJJpHP3DAiNmNks2pTULCVfsbbgcLvGQujCmEncyfu2BOH3-0MFgURxXRXt6e7DW64W-aRX2rne25a5EGnQTpn~bU4D3wss7Le2rvhhUwXfG89eLj67bF~AxbUm0eDK51pZY0jQk~tYlE6TljNDxlUsW2Aw5VW6V15O7zZlahZiqvTteVsC0YwpaP97Uo9INQIU83NoZnIWQeRxUPslc1f3qjIbUCSRjv-lUEnKcwEizaoXmMv92VxDUOEN89kskv4lho2DA-B6S7EttsMDfZWDorExTXQBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brenda Scolari, director of the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, told the Joint Subcommittee on General Government the governor has appointed nine members to an America250 commission, which will begin meeting next month and steer fundraising and programming for Nevada’s commemorative activities.

Scolari said the commission “will then oversee a fundraising effort, for some of our volunteer and civic organizations throughout the state.” The department described two special grant rounds: one run by Travel Nevada to support events and marketing in smaller communities, and another run by the Nevada Arts Council for artists and arts organizations to propose commemorative projects.

On a planned storytelling and collecting initiative, Scolari and Dan Thielen, administrator of the Division of Museums and History, described a traveling mobile museum and an oral‑history program that would gather stories statewide. Scolari said the department would seek to use part of a requested $250,000 in the Division of Museums and History account to contract a podcaster to collect some oral histories. Thielen said the division aims “to hit every county and as many of the cities in the counties that we can throughout Nevada.”

When asked how much the commission might raise, Scolari said the working group has been planning for more than a year but that fundraising will begin next month. She said the commission could set fundraising goals at its first meeting and the department hopes “to raise as much as a million dollars through that effort.”

Assemblywoman Anderson asked whether there are legislative appointees on the commission; Scolari said the governor’s appointments include industry and private‑sector leaders and the department would entertain adding a legislator. Scolari said the department hopes not to request additional legislative funding for America250 but will provide the committee with a list of commission appointees on request.

The committee asked about outreach and grant promotion; Scolari said the department will use existing grant cycles and its marketing budget to promote the effort and will use established online portals for applications.

No formal committee action or vote on grant funding occurred during the hearing; committee members asked follow‑ups and requested a list of commission appointees.","Department officials told legislators the governor appointed a nine‑member America250 commission that will oversee fundraising and that the department plans two special grant rounds plus a traveling 'mobile museum' and oral‑history work funded in part by a requested $250,000 allocation.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325736,"Tourism and Cultural Affairs requests reclassifications, proposes lodging-tax transfer changes",202,81605,284255,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2332005-20c14944b91ddd179a13c00f906a80cb&start=81&end=284","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2332005-20c14944b91ddd179a13c00f906a80cb/thumbnail_81605.jpg","/articles/6325736/Nevada/Tourism-and-Cultural-Affairs-requests-reclassifications-proposes-lodging-tax-transfer-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325736-7ab3db3fdef7102972068ac53187efd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163121&Signature=eo30OQOmpMyeMh~x0acuTW-Jf0WeU9hYOQN4QKzmvhCSGyLiSaYMcxvXGNsOsEIhoobRFJXf0MHQU7UtUaVuUqFn5RT8t499zjfiIDGoPl66B4N-azEHnagyGNLDFSjg-Bhttej~Dy0q8975xnWJEXi14CnrJfm43wRX8cM7p~-nbLn9W67PMXd2S2dHlSP3NDwD5h6IaE58Cu47x9v7HBW9dnR9h3RqjlcaN1Nh3BBfwznTdilJlSrJwQR2fKBYba-hlqim2YV5DRM8d3OWhvjRQgB3dZALGWf1ln6SeqYzEKsCZs9Zx6YJ1DN2MA~DXmma5R9gbcFmz7qOmaONgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs asked the Joint Subcommittee on General Government to approve several personnel reclassifications and to eliminate longstanding external transfers of lodging‑tax revenue so lodging tax would be used exclusively within the department.

Director Brenda Scolari told the subcommittee the department reorganized last session and created an administrative staff and budget. She said one classification in the submitted budget was in error: “This classification was meant to be an ASO 4 and oversee the fiscal team within the divisions, so I would respectfully request if this can't be amended to an ASO 4, that we withdraw the request.”

Scolari outlined three personnel changes in the administrative account (15‑20): reclassifying the finance and operations manager to an ASO‑4 (instead of ASO‑2), classifying an IT position as an information/technology manager to improve recruitment and retention, and declassifying a public information officer to a development specialist to allow marketing and evening/weekend event work the department says is difficult in classified service.

On lodging tax transfers, Scolari said the department wants to end “long standing external transfers, to State Parks and the Nevada Film Office.” She told the panel staff could not find records explaining why the transfers began and said the department proposes offsetting the elimination of external transfers by reducing general‑fund appropriations and concentrating lodging tax transfers inside the department’s budget accounts.

Assemblymember Torres Fawcett asked how the room‑tax split (cited in questions as 81% room tax/19% general fund) would be affected; Scolari replied the budget division and the Legislature would assess external budget needs going forward and that, if the transfers were eliminated, those needs would be considered “like any other” by the budget division. Assemblyman Watts pressed on how fluctuating transfers would be managed in future biennia; Scolari said the Legislature’s budget process would reassess needs in those accounts.

No formal motion or vote on these requests was recorded during the hearing; the department’s presentations concluded and the committee moved on to other budget accounts.","Department director Brenda Scolari told the Legislature’s subcommittee the department seeks several position reclassifications and proposes eliminating longstanding external lodging‑tax transfers, replacing them with internal transfers offset by a general‑fund reduction.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State museums seek staff and equipment for openings and repairs; museum officials describe Ely deed dispute and railroad visitor‑center plans

Travel Nevada highlights rural destination development and 3D cohorts; staff say grants include post‑award oversight

America250 commission to lead fundraising, grants and a mobile museum project, department says

Tourism and Cultural Affairs requests reclassifications, proposes lodging-tax transfer changes