MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2013 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Representative Martinson

House Bill 1138

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF INNKEEPERS; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS; TO PROVIDE A REGISTRATION FEE; TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-59, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1.  The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

          (a)  "Authority" means the Mississippi Development Authority;

          (b)  "Hotel" means an establishment held out by the proprietor as offering sleeping accommodations, without special contract, to any traveler presenting himself who appears able and willing to pay a reasonable sum for the services and facilities provided and who is in a fit state to be received; and

          (c)  "Innkeeper" means the owner, operator or keeper of a hotel.

SECTION 2.  (1)  No person shall engage in business as an innkeeper within the State of Mississippi without first registering with the Mississippi Development Authority.  The hotel or hotels which an innkeeper conducts business shall be specified in the registration and the innkeeper shall only conduct business in such specified facilities.  An innkeeper may add or remove specified hotels from registration by written notice to the authority.  Registration shall be valid for one (1) year and each innkeeper registered under this act shall pay an annual registration fee in an amount set by the authority, but not to exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00).  The authority shall use such fees to carryout the purposes of this act.

     (2)  The authority shall promulgate rules and regulations relating to:

          (a)  Safety, structural integrity, cleanliness and general sanitation of hotels;

          (b)  The establishment of hotel and innkeeper associations including the organization, governing, bylaws, membership, duties and responsibilities of such associations; and

          (c)  Such other administrative provisions as may be necessary to protect the public interest, promote the business of innkeepers and administer the requirements of this act.

     SECTION 3.  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;

          (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; * * * and

          (k)  To develop programs and projects promoting the state's heritage, history, culture, literature and arts, including the positive recovery of the state after damages caused by natural disasters, and demonstrating the state's attractiveness as a tourism destination for those and other reasons * * *.; and

(l)  To carry out the provisions of House Bill No._____, 2013 Regular Session.

     SECTION 4.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.

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