2015 -- H 6306 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY METHODS FOR

GROWING TOURISM IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND THROUGH COORDINATED

BRANDING AND MARKETING EFFORTS

     Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Azzinaro, Filippi, Marshall, and Carnevale

     Date Introduced: June 11, 2015

     Referred To: House Corporations

     WHEREAS, Tourism is an essential component to the economic stability, success, and

growth of our state; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of fourteen (14) members: five (5) of whom shall be members of the Rhode Island

House of Representatives, three (3) of whom shall be members caucusing with the majority

political party and two (2) of whom shall be members caucusing with the minority political party,

all of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the President

of the South County Tourism Council, or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director

of the Block Island Tourism Council, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the City

of Warwick Department of Tourism, Culture And Development, or designee; one of whom shall

be the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Providence Tourism Council, or designee; one of

whom shall be the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, or

designee; one of whom shall be the President and CEO of the Greater Providence Warwick

Convention and Visitors Bureau, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of Discover

Newport, or designee; and two (2) of whom shall be representatives of professional tourism or

marketing firms in Rhode Island, to be appointed by the Speaker.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly

resolution, the Speaker may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a

legislator.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make an overall review of Rhode Island's

current tourism industry with the intent to grow tourism in the state through coordinated branding

and marketing efforts. The study shall include, but not be limited to:

     A comprehensive analysis of best-practice methods used to expand tourism both on a

     regional and national level;

     Information on the current collaborative practices of the state's multiple tourism councils;

     Analysis of reports provided semi-annually by the RI Commerce Corporation; and

     Recommendations to the RI Commerce Corporation that would enable it to develop more

     informed and coordinated decision-making efforts regarding the development of branding

     and marketing of tourism in Rhode Island.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select a chairperson.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The RI Commerce Corporation shall provide said commission with a semi-annual report

of its findings and progress in advancing tourism in the state, commencing on January 5, 2016.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives no later than April 9, 2016, and said commission shall expire on June 9,

2016.

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