§ 10-397c — Connecticut Tourism Council.

(a) There is established within the Department of Economic and Community Development, for administrative purposes only, a Connecticut Tourism Council. The council shall consist of (1) the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, or the commissioner's designee, (2) the Commissioner of Transportation, or the commissioner's designee, (3) the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, or the commissioner's designee, (4) thirteen members appointed by the Governor, (A) one of whom shall represent the lodging industry, (B) one of whom shall represent a chamber of commerce, (C) one of whom shall represent a tourist attraction, (D) one of whom shall represent the arts, (E) one of whom shall represent a culturally diverse event or attraction, (F) one of whom shall represent the heritage tourism industry, (G) one of whom shall represent the airline industry, (H) one of whom shall represent the Connecticut Airport Authority, (I) one of whom shall represent a convention center and sports arena trade organization, (J) one of whom shall represent a charter bus trade organization, (K) two of whom shall represent casino gaming facilities, and (L) one of whom shall represent the Connecticut Tourism Coalition, (5) fourteen members appointed as follows: (A) Three by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall represent the agritourism industry, one of whom shall represent the convention center and coliseum industry and one of whom shall represent the eastern regional tourism district established pursuant to section 10-397, (B) two by the majority leader of the Senate, one of whom shall represent the events industry and one of whom shall represent the western regional tourism district established pursuant to section 10-397, (C) two by the minority leader of the Senate, one of whom shall represent the marine trades industry and one of whom shall represent the outdoor recreation industry, (D) three by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall represent the destination shopping industry, one of whom shall represent the restaurant industry and one of whom shall represent the central regional tourism district established pursuant to section 10-397, (E) two by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall represent the attractions industry and one of whom shall represent the lodging industry, and (F) two by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall represent the museum industry and one of whom shall represent the tour and travel industry. All members appointed by the Governor shall serve a term of four years. The terms of all members appointed by members of the General Assembly shall be coterminous with the terms of such members of the General Assembly. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall serve as chairperson of the council. (b) The council shall: (1) Adopt procedures for the operation of the council; (2) review and approve or recommend changes to the strategic marketing plan developed by the Department of Economic and Community Development pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-392 ; and (3) not later than January 1, 2021, and annually thereafter, submit a report describing tourism promotion efforts by the state and evaluating the marketing plan, developed by the Department of Economic and Community Development pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-392 , to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a . See Sec. 4-38f for definition of “administrative purposes only.”

Legislative History

(P.A. 19-178, S. 2; P.A. 21-94, S. 2.) History: P.A. 19-178 effective July 8, 2019; P.A. 21-94 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing number of members appointed by Governor from 12 to 13 by adding member to represent Connecticut Tourism Coalition, effective June 28, 2021.