GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 378*

Short Title:  Travel and Tourism Commission.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Warren, N. Crawford, Perdue; Easterling, R. Hunter, Lilley, Nye, Redwine, and Rogers.
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Referred to:  Commerce.
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February 27, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO CREATE THE NORTH CAROLINA TRAVEL AND TOURISM COMMISSION.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 143B-434.1.  The North Carolina Travel and Tourism Commission - creation; duties; membership.
(a)	There is created within the Department of Commerce the North Carolina Travel and Tourism Commission.
(b)	The duties of the Commission shall be:
(1)	To assist and advise the Secretary of Commerce in the planning and implementation of policy and priorities for the promotion and development of travel and tourism in the State;
(2)	To assist and advise the Secretary of Commerce in the development of a budget for the Division of Travel and Tourism;
(3)	To recommend programs to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Secretary of Commerce that will promote the State as a travel and tourism destination and that will develop travel and tourism opportunities throughout the State;
(4)	To serve as a search committee to seek out, interview, and recommend to the Secretary of Commerce, an advertising agency, which will assist the Department in promotion of the State as a travel and tourism destination;
(5)	To adopt rules, regulations, or standards that may be necessary to administer a matching funds tourism grant program;
(6)	To administer a matching funds tourism grant program and approve projects that qualify for participation in the program;
(7)	To promote the exchange of ideas and information on travel and tourism between State and local governmental agencies, and private organizations and individuals;
(8)	To advise the Secretary of Commerce upon any matter that the Secretary may refer to it.
(c)	The Commission shall consist of 17 members:
(1)	The Director of the Division of Travel and Tourism, serving ‘ex officio';
(2)	Two members associated with the tourism industry appointed by the Governor, one from a list of nominees submitted by the The Travel Council of North Carolina, Inc., (or its successors), and one from a list of nominees submitted by the North Carolina Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (or its successors);
(3)	Two members associated with the tourism industry appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120-121, from a list of nominees submitted by The Travel Council of North Carolina, Inc., (or its successors);
(4)	Two members associated with the tourism industry appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120-121, from a list of nominees submitted by The Travel Council of North Carolina, Inc., (or its successors);
(5)	Two public members appointed by the Governor, each interested in matters relating to travel and tourism;
(6)	Two members associated with local chambers of commerce appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120-121;
(7)	Two members associated with parks and recreation appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120-121;
(8)	Two members associated with county governments, one appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120-121, and one appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120-121; and
(9)	Two members associated with municipal governments, one appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and one appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120-121.
(d)	Members of the Commission, except a member serving ‘ex officio,' shall serve these terms:  four for a term of one year, four for a term of two years, four for a term of three years, and four for a term of four years.  At the end of the terms of office of the initial members, all succeeding appointments to these positions shall be for terms of four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify.
(e)	No member of the Commission, except a member serving ‘ex officio,' shall serve more than two consecutive terms.  Members serving ‘ex officio' shall serve so long as they hold that office.
(f)	Appointments to fill vacancies in the membership of the Commission that occur due to resignation, dismissal, death, or disability of a member shall be for the balance of the unexpired term and shall be made by the same appointing authority that made the initial appointment.
(g)	The Governor may remove any member of the Commission from office in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 143B-16 of the Executive Organization Act of 1973.
(h)	Commission members who are employees of the State shall receive travel allowances at the rate set forth in G.S. 138-6.  All other Commission members shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel expenses at the rate set forth in G.S. 138-5.
(i)	The Commission shall elect a chairperson from its membership.
(j)	A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum.
(k)	The Secretary of Commerce shall provide clerical and other services as required by the Commission.”
Sec. 2.  G.S. 120-123 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: 
"(56)	The North Carolina Travel and Tourism Commission, as established by G.S. 143B-434.1.”
Sec. 3.  This act is effective upon ratification.