R 414
2015 -- H 6306 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 06/23/2015

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

     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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LC002870/SUB A
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