H 3707 General Bill, By Sharpe, L.E. Gentry, T.E. Huff, W.P. Keesley, 
D.E. McTeer, Rhoad, I.K. Rudnick, R. Smith and J.B. Wilder
 A Bill to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Article 21
 to Chapter 13, Title 51, so as to create the Thoroughbred Country Tourism
 Commission.

   03/20/91  House  Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar
                     without reference HJ-8
   03/28/91  House  Debate adjourned until Wednesday, April 3, 1991 HJ-22
   04/03/91  House  Debate adjourned until Wednesday, April 17, 1991 HJ-10
   04/17/91  House  Rejected HJ-38

March 20, 1991

H. 3707

Introduced by REPS. Sharpe, Smith, Keesley, Huff, Rudnick, Gentry, Wilder, Rhoad and McTeer

S. Printed 3/20/91--H.

Read the first time March 20, 1991.

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 21 TO CHAPTER 13, TITLE 51, SO AS TO CREATE THE THOROUGHBRED COUNTRY TOURISM COMMISSION.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Chapter 13, Title 51 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Thoroughbred Country Tourism Commission

Section 51-13-1810. The Thoroughbred Country Tourism Commission is created to promote the economic development of the region through a formal program of tourism promotion in Aiken, Barnwell, Allendale, and Bamberg counties. The commission is composed of three members from each county appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of the legislative delegation of each county for terms of four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. One member from each county must be a representative of the hospitality business industry to provide input to the commission from persons directly involved in the travel and leisure industry. Two members from each county must be representatives of the chambers of commerce in the county to provide input from the historical, cultural, environmental, and recreational interests and the general business community. Vacancies must be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term.

Section 51-13-1820. The commission shall:

(1) take action necessary to establish the region as a major center of tourism;

(2) bring together the abilities and interests of private industry, chambers of commerce, development organizations, and historical and cultural concerns to develop a formal program of tourism promotion;

(3) encourage the promotion of the region through the State Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, the United States Travel Service, the Travel Industry of America, the Southeast Tourism Society, and similar agencies and programs;

(4) inventory and identify potential attractions of tourist interest in the region;

(5) establish guidelines to insure the protection of the interests of the citizens and environmental and cultural interests of the region and to assure an ethical, truly representative image of the region to tourists;

(6) seek out, apply for, receive, process, and distribute available funds through the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, regional councils of government, the United States Commerce and Interior Departments, and similar agencies and departments.

Section 51-13-1830. The commission shall meet as soon after the appointment of its members as practicable and shall organize by electing one of its members as chairman, one as secretary, and other officers it considers desirable. The commission shall meet after its initial meeting upon the call of the chairman or a majority of its members."

SECTION 2. The initial terms of the members of the Thoroughbred Country Tourism Commission are as follows:

(1) members representing the hospitality business industry: three years;

(2) members representing the chambers of commerce: four years.

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.