§ 15-11-306 - Authority to lease facilities.
15-11-306. Authority to lease facilities.
(a) (1) The Department of Parks and Tourism is authorized to lease existing buildings and facilities deemed suitable therefor by the department at or near the major highway points of entry into this state, may provide for the staffing and operation in buildings or facilities of tourist information centers, and may pay the necessary cost of maintenance, upkeep, and operation thereof.
(2) Tourist information centers shall be for the purpose of furnishing information to tourists entering this state with respect to the various attractions, opportunities, facilities, and other resources of this state which are of interest to tourists or which provide accommodations for their use or convenience while visiting this state.
(3) The department shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations regarding the operation of such tourist information centers.
(b) In the event that it becomes necessary for the department to cease to operate any tourist information center in the state as a result of the shortage of funds, the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission shall lease the tourist information center facility to a municipality or county in which it is located or to a nonprofit organization approved by the commission for an annual lease payment of ten dollars ($10.00) per year to be operated by the lessee in a manner approved by the commission.