§ 143B-434.1. The North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board - creation, duties, membership.
§ 143B‑434.1. The NorthCarolina Travel and Tourism Board creation, duties, membership.
(a) There is createdwithin the Department of Commerce the North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board.The Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the Division of Tourism, Film,and Sports Development will work with the Board to fulfill the duties andrequirements set forth in this section, and to promote the sound development ofthe travel and tourism industry in North Carolina.
(b) The function andduties of the Board shall be:
(1) To advise theSecretary of Commerce in the formulation of policy and priorities for thepromotion and development of travel and tourism in the State.
(2) To advise theSecretary of Commerce in the development of a budget for the Division ofTourism, Film, and Sports Development.
(3) To recommendprograms to the Secretary of Commerce that will promote the State as a traveland tourism destination and that will develop travel and tourism opportunitiesthroughout the State.
(4) To advise the Secretaryof Commerce every three months as to the effectiveness of agencies with whichthe Department has contracted for advertising and regarding the selection of anadvertising agency that will assist the Department in the promotion of theState as a travel and tourism destination.
(5) To name a three‑membersubcommittee, with one member from each of the eastern, central, and westernregions of the State, to make recommendations to the Secretary of Commerceregarding any revisions in the matching funds tourism grants program, projectapplications, and criteria for projects that qualify for participation in theprogram.
(6) To advise theSecretary of Commerce from time to time as to the effectiveness of the overalloperations of the Division of Tourism, Film, and Sports Development.
(7) To promote theexchange of ideas and information on travel and tourism between State and localgovernmental agencies, and private organizations and individuals.
(8) To advise theSecretary of Commerce upon any matter that the Secretary, Governor, or Directorof the Division of Tourism, Film, and Sports Development may refer to it.
(c) The Board shallconsist of 29 members as follows:
(1) The Secretary ofCommerce, who shall not be a voting member.
(2) The Director of theDivision of Tourism, Film, and Sports Development, who shall not be a votingmember.
(3) Two membersdesignated by the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Restaurant andLodging Association, representing the lodging sector.
(4) Two membersdesignated by the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Restaurant andLodging Association, representing the restaurant sector.
(5) Three Directors ofConvention and Visitor Bureaus designated by the Board of Directors of theNorth Carolina Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus.
(6) The Chairperson ofthe Travel and Tourism Coalition or the Chairperson's designee.
(7) The President of theNorth Carolina Travel Industry Association.
(8) A member designatedby the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Travel Industry Association.
(9) The President of theNorth Carolina Chamber.
(10) One member designatedby the North Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association.
(11) One person associatedwith tourism attractions in North Carolina, appointed by the Speaker of the Houseof Representatives. One person who is not a member of the General Assembly,appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(12) One person associatedwith the tourism‑related transportation industry, appointed by thePresident Pro Tempore of the Senate. One person who is not a member of theGeneral Assembly, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(13) Four public memberseach interested in matters relating to travel and tourism, two appointed by theGovernor (one from a rural area and one from an urban area), one appointed bythe Speaker of the House, and one appointed by the President Pro Tempore of theSenate.
(14) One member associatedwith the major cultural resources and activities of the State in NorthCarolina, appointed by the Governor.
(15) Two members of theHouse of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives.
(16) Two members of theSenate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(17) Two membersdesignated by the Board of Directors of North Carolina Watermen United whorepresent the charter boat/headboat industry.
(d) The members of theBoard shall serve the following terms: the Secretary of Commerce, the Directorof the Division of Tourism, Film, and Sports Development, the Chairperson ofthe Travel and Tourism Coalition, the President of the North Carolina TravelIndustry Association, and the President of the North Carolina Chamber shallserve on the Board while they hold their respective offices. Each member of theBoard appointed by the Governor shall serve during his or her term of office.The members of the Board appointed by the General Assembly shall serve two‑yearterms beginning on January 1 of odd‑numbered years and ending on December31 of the following year. The first such term shall begin on January 1, 1991,or as soon thereafter as the member is appointed to the Board, and end onDecember 31, 1992. All other members of the Board shall serve a term whichconsists of the portion of calendar year 1991 that remains following theirappointment or designation and, thereafter, two‑year terms which shallbegin on January 1 of an even‑numbered year and end on December 31 of thefollowing year. The first such two‑year term shall begin on January 1,1992, and end on December 31, 1994.
(e) No member of theBoard, except a member serving by virtue of his or her office, shall serveduring more than five consecutive calendar years, except that a member shallcontinue to serve until his or her successor is appointed.
(f) Appointments tofill vacancies in the membership of the Board that occur due to resignation,dismissal, death, or disability of a member shall be for the balance of theunexpired term and shall be made by the same appointing authority that made theinitial appointment.
(g) Board members whoare employees of the State shall receive travel allowances at the rate setforth in G.S. 138‑6. Board members who are legislators shall bereimbursed for travel and subsistence in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1.All other Board members, except those serving pursuant to subdivisions (3)through (10) of subsection (c) of this section, shall receive per diem,subsistence, and travel expenses at the rate set forth in G.S. 138‑5.Board members serving pursuant to subdivisions (3) through (10) of subsection(c) of this section shall not receive per diem, subsistence, or travelexpenses. The expenses set forth in this section shall be paid by the Divisionof Tourism, Film, and Sports Development of the Department of Commerce.
(h) At its firstmeeting in 1991, the Board shall elect one of its voting members to serve asChairperson during calendar year 1991. At its last regularly scheduled meetingin 1991, and at its last regularly scheduled meeting in each year thereafter,the Board shall elect one of its voting members to serve as Chairperson for thecoming calendar year. No person shall serve as Chairperson during more thanthree consecutive calendar years. The Chairperson shall continue to serve untilhis or her successor is elected.
(i) A majority of thecurrent voting membership shall constitute a quorum.
(j) The Secretary ofCommerce shall provide clerical and other services as required by the Board. (1991, c. 406, s. 1; 1991(Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 959, s. 54; 1997‑495 s. 89(a); 2000‑140, s.79(a); 2007‑67, s. 1; 2007‑484, ss. 32(a), (b); 2009‑550, s.7; 2009‑570, s. 8(f), (g).)