Assembly committee hears bill to return part of Washoe County fairgrounds to state control

Assembly Bill 333, which would terminate the current lease of certain Washoe County fairgrounds property to the county and return oversight of the northern portion to the Nevada Department of Agriculture, was presented Wednesday to the Assembly Committee on Government Affairs during a public hearing in Carson City.

The bill’s lead presenter, Assemblyman Ken Gray of Assembly District 39, introduced the measure and turned the detailed presentation to Senator Angie Taylor and Dr. JJ Gokachia, director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture. Dr. Gokachia said the measure would “establish a fairgrounds to be known as the Nevada State Fairgrounds” and authorize the department to manage and promote agricultural uses on the northern portion of the property currently under lease to Washoe County.

Supporters told the committee the site has hosted the state and regional fairs, livestock shows and the Reno Rodeo, and that recent investments and private fundraising are already under way. Perry Di Loretto, chairman of the Nevada Western Heritage Alliance, said the alliance and partners have committed about $8 million to improvements and cited an additional nearly $6 million grant from the Division of Water Resources for planned work. Jim Neal, president of the Reno Rodeo Association, and Matt McKinney, president of the Nevada Junior Livestock Show Board, expressed support for the transfer and for the bill’s amendments.

The bill as presented would (among other provisions described section-by-section during the hearing) define department and director for chapter 551 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, create a continuing state account for maintenance and operations of the Nevada State Fairgrounds, authorize the director to accept gifts and grants and enter into contracts with quasi‑governmental, nonprofit and for‑profit managers, require Washoe County to survey and describe the two portions of the property, terminate the county’s existing lease for the subject property, and require the administrator of the Division of State Lands to enter into a new lease with Washoe County for the portion not subject to the trust "for no consideration." The presenters said the department would continue an existing agreement with the Reno‑Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) to manage the northern portion in the near term while pursuing longer‑term plans to restore the Nevada State Fair to the site.

During committee questions, Dr. Gokachia said the change from the word “livestock” to “agriculture” in the bill is intentionally broad: “agriculture in the definition that it is used in our statutes does include livestock as well as crop production, honey, specialty crops, beverages, and after processing,” he said, adding that the department intends to expand bookings and events to increase hotel stays and revenue for the region while emphasizing agricultural education and programming.

Charlie Donahue, administrator for the Division of State Lands, testified in neutral and raised implementation and fiscal questions. Donahue cautioned that if lease authority reverted to the Division of State Lands certain leasing and revenue processes — including competitive leasing requirements and depositing revenue to the State General Fund — could apply. He told the committee the division has submitted a fiscal note and said the division is at capacity and might need assistance to assume new lease responsibilities if the bill’s amendments are not adopted as presented.

No vote was taken in the committee; the hearing on AB 333 concluded after testimony and questions. The bill’s sponsors and Washoe County representatives said they would remain partners in planning and management if the statute is changed.

Supporters and witnesses who spoke on AB 333 at the hearing included (but were not limited to) Perry Di Loretto (Nevada Western Heritage Alliance, chair), Michonne Esquaga (Nevada Western Heritage Alliance), Jim Neal (Reno Rodeo Association, president), Matt McKinney (Nevada Junior Livestock Show Board, president), Dr. JJ Gokachia (director, Nevada Department of Agriculture), Cadence Matevich (Washoe County government affairs liaison), Assemblyman Ken Gray (sponsor), and Senator Angie Taylor (co‑sponsor). Charlie Donahue represented the Division of State Lands in a neutral position.

The committee then opened a separate hearing on Assembly Bill 114. (See separate report.)