The Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Subcommittee on General Government convened on February 18, 2025, to discuss several budget proposals, primarily focusing on the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. The meeting began with a presentation by Brenda Scolari, the director of the department, who outlined the key components of their budget enhancements.

Scolari highlighted the department's role in promoting tourism, preserving Nevada's history, and supporting the arts. She noted that the department had undergone a reorganization in the previous legislative session, which included the establishment of an administrative staff and budget. The presentation included requests for several reclassifications within the department's staffing structure, including a proposal to upgrade the finance and operations manager position from ASO 2 to ASO 4, which Scolari argued was necessary for effective oversight of the fiscal team.

Additionally, Scolari proposed reclassifying a current position held by the chief technology officer to an information technology manager to align with other departments and improve recruitment and retention. She also requested the declassification of a public information officer position to a development specialist role, citing the need for flexibility in scheduling due to the demands of marketing and project management.

The committee discussed the implications of eliminating external transfers of lodging tax, which would now be used exclusively within the department. Scolari explained that this decision was made to reassess long-standing transfers to other entities, such as State Parks and the Nevada Film Office, which had been in place for decades without clear justification. The committee members raised questions regarding the impact of these changes on state museums and historical societies, as well as the management of room tax reserves.

Assemblymember Torres Fawcett inquired about the factors influencing the proposed increase in room tax revenue allocation for the division of museums and history. Scolari responded that the department aimed to offset the elimination of external transfers with a decrease in the general fund allocation, ensuring that the needs of the museums and historical society would still be met.

Assemblyman Watts further questioned how the transition from room tax to general fund support would affect the agencies involved. Scolari indicated that future needs would be assessed by the budget division, similar to other budget requests, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing funding based on actual requirements.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further evaluate the proposed budget enhancements and their potential impacts on the department and its associated agencies. The discussions underscored the ongoing efforts to streamline funding processes and ensure effective resource allocation within Nevada's tourism and cultural sectors.