MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Tourism
By: Representative Peranich, Coleman (29th), Cummings, Staples, Upshaw, Martinson, Patterson, Frierson, Stevens
AN ACT 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 TO REQUIRE SUCH AGREEMENTS AS A CONDITION FOR RECEIVING STATE GRANTS TO PROMOTE TOURISM; TO REFLECT THE CHANGE OF THE NAME OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; TO CREATE A NEW SECTION TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 17-3-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE CERTAIN LOCAL CONVENTION BUREAUS, TOURISM COMMISSIONS AND SIMILAR ENTITIES TO CONTRACT WITH A PRIVATE CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR AN ANNUAL AUDIT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. 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 and other agreements with local tourism commissions or similar entities for the purpose of developing regional strategies for tourism promotion. The Mississippi Development Authority, in conjunction with the formulation of regional strategies for tourism promotion, may require that local tourism commissions or similar entities enter into agreements with the authority as a condition for receiving any state grants to promote tourism.
SECTION 2. The following shall be codified as Section 17-3-33, Mississippi Code of 1972:
17-3-33. Any convention bureau, local tourism commission or similar entity established under this chapter or any other law of the State of Mississippi, including any local and private law of the State of Mississippi, which receives funds from any special tax or levy imposed for the support of such bureau, commission or similar entity, shall annually hire a private certified public accounting firm to complete an audit of the revenues and expenditures of the bureau, commission or similar entity and its compliance with state law. A copy of the annual audit shall be provided to the State Department of Audit.
SECTION 3. Section 1 of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004. Section 2 of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after October 1, 2004.