Bill > HB1628

This bill amends Tennessee law to clarify definitions related to tourism and establish a framework for regional tourism organizations. It defines terms such as "destination marketing organization," "tourism," "tourism development," "tourism event," "tourism promotion," and "tourist" or "visitor" to provide a consistent understanding of these concepts across various state laws. The bill also requires the Department of Tourist Development to annually confirm nonprofit, membership-based organizations or tax-exempt public agencies as regional tourism organizations for each of Tennessee's nine development districts, ensuring they represent the entire district. These organizations will operate under the department's supervision and must submit progress reports and attend conferences. Crucially, before receiving matching state funds, which are provided at a two-to-one ratio of state funds to the organization's budget (with a minimum of $35,000), regional tourism organizations must have their planned marketing initiatives approved by the department. These initiatives must align with the department's brand and focus on specific categories like music, history, or outdoor experiences, with the total marketing funding exceeding the required state match. The bill also specifies that funds are primarily for tourism promotion, with a maximum of 40% allowed for administrative expenses, though this can be increased to 50% under certain conditions, such as employing a dedicated full-time tourism position.