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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a certificate program to promote |
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tourism to and travel throughout this state; authorizing fees. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter L, Chapter 481, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 481.175 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 481.175. TOURISM CERTIFICATE PROGRAM. (a) The office |
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by rule shall create and implement a tourism certificate program |
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that includes: |
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(1) issuance of a certificate by the office to an |
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individual who obtains a certain number of stamps for visiting |
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various locations in this state; and |
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(2) on payment of a fee determined by the office, |
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issuance of an "Honorary Texan" certificate to a non-Texas |
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resident. |
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(b) The program under Subsection (a)(1) must include: |
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(1) different location categories of certificates, |
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such as "BBQ Pitmaster," "Beachcomber," "Traveler," "Museum |
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Visitor," and "Rodeo Visitor"; |
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(2) different levels of certificates within a location |
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category, such as issuance of a "Basic" certificate for visiting |
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locations in at least four regions of the state, issuance of an |
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"Advanced" certificate for visiting locations in at least six |
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regions of the state, and issuance of a "Master" certificate for |
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visiting locations in at least eight regions of the state; |
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(3) the registration of a location to participate in |
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the program by payment of a fee determined by the office for |
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issuance of stamps; and |
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(4) on payment of a fee determined by the office, the |
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issuance of a certificate by the office to an individual who obtains |
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the required number of stamps for a certain level within a location |
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category. |
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(c) The office shall divide the state into eight regions for |
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determining levels of certificates. |
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(d) A certificate issued under Subsection (a)(2) does not |
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confer on the holder of the certificate any residency or other legal |
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status or right. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |