Bill > HB227

This bill consolidates the state's cultural affairs and tourism departments into a single entity named the "Cultural Affairs and Tourism Department," aiming to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. The legislation amends various existing laws to reflect this merger, ensuring that all references to the former separate departments now point to the new combined department. It also establishes new divisions within the department, such as a tourism development division, and administratively attaches certain entities like the state fair commission and the tourism commission to the new department. Furthermore, the bill creates new funds, including a tourism enterprise fund and a Fort Stanton development fund, to support the department's expanded responsibilities. The bill also makes technical changes to existing statutes, such as updating definitions and clarifying the roles of various divisions and committees within the new departmental structure, and repeals certain outdated provisions related to the former separate departments.