GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1132

Short Title:  Travel/Tourism Reorganization Comm.   	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Perdue; and Colton.
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Referred to:  Commerce.
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April 10, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO CREATE A COMMISSION ON TRAVEL AND TOURISM REORGANIZATION.
Whereas, the travel and tourism industry is vital to the well-being of North Carolina, generating five billion seven hundred million dollars ($5,700,000,000) in revenue in 1987, and employing at least 220,000 citizens; and
Whereas, the travel and tourism industry in the State has grown rapidly throughout the past decade and is expected to emerge as the State's leading industry by the 1990s; and
Whereas, the Division of Travel and Tourism within the Department of Commerce is charged with the duties of promoting and developing travel and tourism in the State; and
Whereas, numerous State departments, divisions, boards, commissions, and other agencies of the State also oversee programs and functions that directly relate to travel and tourism; and
Whereas, the travel and tourism industry merits efficient, coordinated, well-organized oversight by the State due to its significance; and
Whereas, review should be made of the organization of State government as it relates to travel and tourism; and
	Whereas, recommendations should be made regarding the reorganization and consolidation of agencies of the State whose functions are strongly related to travel and tourism; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1. Creation of commission. There is created a Commission on Travel and Tourism Reorganization.
Sec. 2. Membership. The Commission shall consist of 17 members:
(1)	Three Senators appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
(2)	Three Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(3)	One representative of the Department of Agriculture to be designated by the Commissioner of Agriculture;
(4)	Two representatives of the Department of Commerce, one of whom shall be the Director of the Division of Travel and Tourism, serving ex officio, and one of whom shall be designated by the Secretary of Commerce;
(5)	One representative of the Department of Cultural Resources designated by the Secretary of Cultural Resources;
(6)	One representative of the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development designated by the Secretary of Natural Resources and Community Development;
(7)	Two public members with knowledge, experience, and interest in the area of travel and tourism appointed by the Governor;
(8)	Two public members with knowledge, experience, and interest in the area of travel and tourism appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; and
(9)	Two public members with knowledge, experience, and interest in the area of travel and tourism appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Sec. 3. Selection of cochairmen; vacancies. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate one Senator to serve as cochairman and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one Representative to serve as cochairman. Any vacancy that occurs on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
Sec. 4. Commission duties. The Commission shall examine the organization of State government as it relates to travel and tourism.  The Commission shall make recommendations regarding the reorganization and consolidation of agencies of the State whose functions are strongly related to travel and tourism, including but not limited to:  (i) Ways in which agencies may operate more efficiently and economically; (ii) Ways in which agencies can provide better services to the State and to the people; and (iii) Instances in which functions of agencies are duplicative, overlapping, incomplete in scope or coverage, fail to accomplish legislative objectives, or for any other reason should be redefined or redistributed.
Sec. 5. Reports; termination. The Commission shall submit a written report to the 1991 General Assembly upon its convening.  The Commission shall terminate upon submitting its final report.
Sec. 6. Staffing. With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Commission may obtain clerical and professional assistance from the Legislative Services Office.
Sec. 7. Meeting Place. With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Commission shall meet in the State Legislative Building or in the Legislative Office Building.
Sec. 8. Members' reimbursement. Commission members shall be paid subsistence and travel allowances in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 120-3.1, 138-5, and 138-6, as applicable.
Sec. 9. Funding. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the General Assembly the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) for fiscal year 1989-90 to fund the Commission authorized by this act.
Sec. 10.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1989.