2-15-1816. Tourism advisory council. (1) There is created a tourism advisory council.
     (2) The council is composed of not less than 12 members appointed by the governor from Montana's private sector travel industry and includes at least one member from Indian tribal governments, with representation from each tourism region initially established by executive order of the governor and as may be modified by the council under subsection (5).
     (3) Members of the council shall serve staggered 3-year terms, subject to replacement at the discretion of the governor. The governor shall designate four of the initial members to serve 1-year terms and four of the initial members to serve 2-year terms.
     (4) The council shall:
     (a) oversee distribution of funds to regional nonprofit tourism corporations for tourism promotion and to nonprofit convention and visitors bureaus in accordance with Title 15, chapter 65, part 1, and this section;
     (b) advise the department of commerce relative to tourism promotion;
     (c) advise the governor on significant matters relative to Montana's travel industry;
     (d) prescribe allowable administrative expenses for which accommodation tax proceeds may be used by regional nonprofit tourism corporations and nonprofit convention and visitors bureaus;
     (e) direct the university system regarding Montana travel research;
     (f) approve all travel research programs prior to their being undertaken; and
     (g) encourage regional nonprofit tourism corporations to promote tourist activities on Indian reservations in their regions.
     (5) The council may modify the tourism regions established by executive order of the governor.
     (6) The department of commerce shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to implement and administer Title 15, chapter 65, part 1, and this section.

     History: En. Secs. 9, 12, Ch. 607, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 301, L. 1991.