MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Economic Development and Tourism
By: Senator(s) Dearing, Burton, Walls
AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 17-3-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE CERTAIN CONVENTION BUREAUS AND LOCAL TOURISM COMMISSIONS TO CONTRACT FOR AN ANNUAL AUDIT WITH A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-59, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH LOCAL TOURISM ENTITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING REGIONAL STRATEGIES FOR TOURISM PROMOTION; TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FORMULATION OF REGIONAL STRATEGIES FOR TOURISM PROMOTION, TO REQUIRE THAT LOCAL TOURISM ENTITIES ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH THE AUTHORITY AS A PRECONDITION TO RECEIVING ANY STATE GRANTS TO PROMOTE TOURISM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 17-3-33, Mississippi Code of 1972:
17-3-33. Any convention bureau or local tourism commission established under this chapter or any other law of the State of Mississippi, that receives funds from any special levy imposed for the support of the convention bureau or tourism commission, shall annually hire a private certified public accounting firm to complete an audit of the expenditures of the commission or bureau and its compliance with state law. A copy of the annual audit shall be provided to the State Department of Audit.
SECTION 2. Section 57-1-59, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
57-1-59. The Mississippi Development Authority shall have the following general powers and duties with respect to tourism:
(a) To promote and advertise the image of Mississippi both within and without the boundaries of this state;
(b) To promote and advertise fairs and similar activities of interest to tourists and the traveling public;
(c) To promote and advertise the use of wildlife and natural areas by tourists and the traveling public;
(d) To promote and advertise the use of state recreational and park facilities by tourists and the traveling public;
(e) To promote and advertise all resources of the State of Mississippi as attractions to tourists and the traveling public;
(f) To develop for all agencies of state government the necessary promotional and advertising materials needed to promote all facilities and programs which may be of interest to travelers and tourists;
(g) To maintain an educational awareness program for the citizens of the state to constantly encourage increased development of activities of interest to tourists and the traveling public;
(h) To develop and maintain an information services system to adequately guide tourists and the traveling public within the boundaries of the state; * * *
(i) To develop and maintain an extensive media program to adequately inform the national and international consumer about Mississippi; and
(j) To enter into contracts with local tourism entities for the purpose of developing regional strategies for tourism promotion. In conjunction with the formulation of regional strategies for tourism promotion, the authority may require that local tourism entities enter into agreements with the authority as a precondition to receiving any state grants to promote tourism.
SECTION 3. Section 1 of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after October 1, 2004. Section 2 of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.