House Bill 187

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 57-29-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXTEND THE DATE OF THE REPEALER ON THE SECTION OF LAW THAT CREATES THE MISSISSIPPI TOURISM ADVISORY BOARD AND PROVIDES FOR THE DUTIES AND COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 57-29-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

57-29-25. (1) There is created the Mississippi Tourism Advisory Board to develop a sustained, integrated, collaborative, and long-term plan, that will realize the potential of the state's opportunities for growth in the tourism sector, by establishing a strategic vision with an economic development orientation, in a public and private partnership. The goal of the advisory board is the creation and implementation of a nationally recognized plan that promotes Mississippi tourism within the state, creates jobs, realizes a high return on a modest investment, and therefore improves the quality of life for Mississippians. The advisory board should serve as a consensus builder in the study of the existing condition and potential growth opportunities of the tourism industry in the state's economy.

(2) The duties of the advisory board include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Review of the state's existing laws, policies, and regulations that promote or pertain to the tourism industry in the state.

(b) Identifying potential growth areas for tourism in Mississippi including, but not limited to, that related to:

(i) Recognizing the special contribution of the state and Mississippians to the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, and assisting in the development and maintenance of educational and historical sites related to the Civil Rights Movement in the United States;

(ii) Assisting in the development and maintenance of educational and historical sites related to the Civil War;

(iii) Assisting in the creation and maintenance of a statewide "Blues Trail" to offer visitors a structured tour of state blues historical sites and performance venues;

(iv) Assisting in the coordination and development of park visitation with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks;

(v) Assisting in the attraction of professional and semi-professional ball sports teams to locate, or individual professional racing or other sporting events to be held, in the state; and

(vi) Assisting in the promotion of the opportunities for recreation in the state's legal gaming venues that include nationally and internationally recognized entertainment offerings in music and performing arts.

(c) Identifying public and private partnership opportunities to market the many positive attributes and advantages of the state to the rest of the nation and the world.

(d) Identifying any organizational or other governance obstacles that have the potential to inhibit the expansion of tourism in Mississippi.

(e) Reviewing current public and private funding opportunities and incentives.

(3) The advisory board shall consist of the following fifteen (15) members:

(a) One (1) representative from each of the following agencies or entities, as designated by the respective agency or entity:

(i) Mississippi Development Authority;

(ii) Mississippi Tourism Association;

(iii) Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks;

(iv) Mississippi Blues Commission;

(v) Mississippi Gaming Commission;

(vi) Mississippi Economic Council;

(vii) Mississippi Department of Transportation;

(b) Two (2) individuals who are employed at a state college or university and who possess tourism expertise, appointed by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning;

(c) Two (2) individuals who have experience in local and regional tourism endeavors, one (1) appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and one (1) appointed by the Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives;

(d) The Chair of the Tourism Committee of the Mississippi State Senate;

(e) The Chair of the Tourism Committee of the Mississippi House of Representatives; and

(f) Two (2) individuals appointed by the Governor.

(4) The advisory board shall hold its first meeting not later than July 1, 2008, with the date, time and location of the meeting to be designated jointly by the Chairs of the House and Senate Tourism Committees. At the first meeting, the advisory board shall elect from among its membership a chair, vice chair, and any other officers determined to be necessary, and it shall set the date, time and location of its subsequent meetings. Eight (8) members of the advisory board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

(5) All meetings of the advisory board and any committees of the advisory board shall be open to the public, with opportunities for public comment provided on a regular basis. Notice of all meetings shall be given as provided in the Open Meetings Act in Section 25-41-1 et seq., and appropriate notice also shall be given to all persons requesting the date, time and place of each meeting.

(6) Members of the advisory board shall serve without compensation for their services, and the advisory board shall perform its duties without legislative appropriation or the use of any state funds for that purpose; however, the advisory board, by approval of a majority of the appointed members of the advisory board, is authorized to accept funds that may be donated or provided in the form of financial grants from public or private sources. The Mississippi State Legislature shall provide the administrative staff and other support necessary for the advisory board to perform its duties. In addition, any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state, or of any political subdivision thereof, shall provide, at the request of the chair of the advisory board, such facilities, assistance and data as will enable the advisory board to carry out its duties.

(7) The provisions of this section shall stand repealed from and after July 1, 2013.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.