By: Hunter H.B. No. 3650

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the promotion and development of the cruise industry in this state.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 481.172, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:

(a) The office shall:

(1) as the primary state governmental entity responsible for out-of-state tourism marketing and promotion efforts, 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 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, cultural, 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;

(8) not later than December 31, 2003, enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Historical Commission, and the Texas Commission on the Arts to direct the efforts of those agencies in all matters relating to tourism;

(9) promote and encourage the horse racing and greyhound racing industry, if funds are appropriated for the promotion or encouragement; [and]

(10) promote the sports industry and related industries in this state, including promoting this state as a host for national and international amateur athletic competition and promoting sports or fitness programs for the residents of this state, if funds are appropriated for the promotion; and

(11) promote and encourage the cruise industry in this state, if funds are available for the promotion or encouragement.

(c-1) The promotion of the cruise industry under Subsection (a)(11) may include the establishment by the governor of a Texas Cruise Commission composed of volunteers who are knowledgeable about or active in the cruise industry. The membership may include, but is not limited to, at least one member from the Port Authority Advisory Committee, one member from the cruise industry, one member with experience in cruise terminal construction, and one member from the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office.

SECTION 2. Sections 55.002(a) and (d), Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) From money in the fund, the department shall fund:

(1) port security, transportation, or facility projects; [and]

(2) maritime port studies; and

(3) the promotion of the cruise industry in this state.

(d) The department, in consultation with the committee, shall review the list of projects recommended by the committee to evaluate the economic benefit of each project. The commission, after receiving recommendations from the committee and from the department, shall approve projects or studies for funding based on its review. The commission shall give a preference to projects that improve infrastructure related to the cruise industry in this state.

SECTION 3. Section 55.008(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The committee shall prepare a two-year port capital program defining the goals and objectives of the committee concerning the development of maritime port facilities and an intermodal transportation system. The port capital program must include projects or studies submitted to the committee by any maritime port and recommendations for:

(1) the construction of transportation facilities connecting any maritime port, including cruise terminals, to another transportation mode; and

(2) the efficient, cost-effective development of transportation facilities or maritime port facilities, including cruise terminals, for the purpose of:

(A) enhancing international trade;

(B) enhancing security;

(C) promoting cargo flow;

(D) increasing cruise passenger movements;

(E) increasing maritime port revenues; and

(F) providing economic benefits to the state.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.