Existing law creates the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, consisting of: (1) the Division of Tourism; (2) the Division of Museums and History; (3) the Board of Museums and History, (4) the Nevada Arts Council; (5) the Nevada Indian Commission; (6) the Board of the Nevada Arts Council; and (7) the Commission on Tourism. (NRS 231.167) The Director of the Department has various powers and duties relating to tourism and cultural affairs and is appointed by the Governor from a list of three persons submitted to the Governor by the Lieutenant Governor from recommendations made by: (1) voting members of the Commission on Tourism; (2) the Chair of the Board of Museums and History; (3) the Chair of the Nevada Indian Commission; and (4) the Chair of the Board of the Nevada Arts Council. (NRS 231.210, 231.220) Under existing law, the Department, through the Director, may employ certain staff and consultants. (NRS 231.230) Section 2 of this bill authorizes the Director to appoint a Deputy Director, who is in the unclassified service of the State, to carry out the duties set forth in existing law for the Division of Tourism. Section 7 of this bill makes a conforming change relating to the Deputy Director being in the unclassified service. Under existing law, the Commission on Tourism is composed of 11 voting members and certain ex officio, nonvoting members who are the Chair of the Board of Museums and History, the Chair of the Nevada Indian Commission and the Chair of the Board of the Nevada Arts Council. (NRS 231.170) Section 5 of this bill eliminates the ex officio, nonvoting members of the Commission on Tourism. Under existing law, the Department, through the Division of Tourism, is required to publish or cause to be published a magazine known as Nevada Magazine, which must contain materials which educate the general public about this State and thereby foster awareness and appreciation of Nevada's heritage, culture, historical monuments, natural wonders and natural resources. (NRS 231.260, 231.290) Sections 6, 8 and 9 of this bill rename such publication to be the Nevada Magazine and Visitor Guide. Existing law creates the Fund for the Nevada Magazine as an enterprise fund for all receipts from publication of the Nevada Magazine. (NRS 231.290) Section 3 of this bill creates the Fund for Tourism and Cultural Affairs, to be administered by the Director. Section 9: (1) eliminates the Fund for the Nevada Magazine; (2) requires that receipts from the publication of the Nevada Magazine and Visitor Guide be deposited in the Fund for Tourism and Cultural Affairs; and (3) authorizes revenue from the publication of the Nevada Magazine and Visitor Guide to be used to publish and distribute to schools educational materials relating to the natural and cultural resources of this State. Sections 4 and 7 of this bill make conforming changes to indicate the proper placement of sections 2 and 3 in the Nevada Revised Statutes.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 231.161, 231.170, 231.200, 231.230, 231.260, 231.290
As Enrolled: 231.161, 231.170, 231.200, 231.230, 231.260, 231.290
BDR: 231.161, 231.170, 231.200, 231.230, 231.260, 231.290