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78R4218 MTB-D

By:  Davis of Harris                                              H.B. No. 740



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the Texas Department of Economic Development's duty to  
promote tourism.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 481.172, Government Code, as amended by 
Chapter 1041, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, 
and by Chapter 1275, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 
1997, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 481.172.  DUTIES.  The department shall:                                  
		(1)  promote and advertise within the United States and 
in foreign countries, by radio, television, newspaper, the 
Internet, and other means considered appropriate, tourism in this 
state [by non-Texans], including tourism by persons from foreign 
countries, and distribute promotional materials through 
appropriate distribution channels;
		(2)  represent the state in domestic and international 
travel trade shows, trade missions, and seminars;
		(3)  encourage travel by Texans to this state's scenic, 
historical, natural, agricultural, educational, recreational, and 
other attractions;
		(4)  conduct a public relations campaign to create a 
responsible and accurate national and international image of this 
state;
		(5)  use current market research to develop a tourism 
marketing plan to increase travel to the state by domestic and 
international visitors;
		(6)  develop methods to attract tourist attractions to 
the state;           
		(7)  assist communities to develop tourist 
attractions; [and]
		(8)  cooperate fully with the Parks and Wildlife 
Department, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas 
Historical Commission, and the Texas Commission on the Arts in all 
matters relating to promotion of tourism; and[.]
		(9) [(8)]  promote and encourage the horse racing and 
greyhound racing industry, if funds are appropriated for the 
promotion or encouragement.
	SECTION 2.   This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.