Bill > SB1887

This bill amends Tennessee law to clarify definitions related to tourism and to 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 ensure consistent understanding and application of tourism-related 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 confirmed 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 award 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 total funding for these initiatives exceeding the required state match. The bill also specifies that funds must be spent on tourism promotion, with a maximum of 40% allowed for administrative expenses, though this can be increased to 50% under certain conditions related to dedicated full-time tourism staff.