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 and one tribal member from the private sector, 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.

(4) The council shall:

(a) oversee distribution of funds to regional nonprofit tourism corporations for tourism promotion, nonprofit convention and visitors bureaus, and the state-tribal economic development commission established in 90-1-131 on behalf of an Indian tourism region 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;

(g) encourage the state-tribal economic development commission and regional nonprofit tourism corporations to promote tourist activities on Indian reservations in their regions;

(h) encourage regional nonprofit tourism corporations and nonprofit convention and visitors bureaus receiving money under subsection (4)(a) to promote public and nonprofit history museums in their regions; and

(i) urge the department of transportation to include museums recognized by the museums association of Montana when it updates and publishes the state maps.

(5) The council may modify the tourism regions established by executive order of the governor.

(6) The department of commerce shall adopt rules to implement and administer Title 15, chapter 65, part 1, and this section.