HF 1629

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 03/27/2012 03:50pm

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; modifying Explore Minnesota Tourism
Council; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 116U.25.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 116U.25, is amended to read:

116U.25 EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM COUNCIL.

(a) The director shall be advised by the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council
consisting of up to deleted text begin 28 deleted text end new text begin 40 new text end voting members appointed by the governor for four-year terms,
including:

(1) the director of Explore Minnesota Tourism who serves as the chair;

(2) eleven representatives of statewide associations representing bed and breakfast
establishments, golf, festivals and events, counties, convention and visitor bureaus,
lodging, resorts, trails, campgrounds, restaurants, and chambers of commerce;

(3) one representative from each of the tourism marketing regions of the state as
designated by the office;

(4) six representatives of the tourism business representing transportation, retail,
travel agencies, tour operators, travel media, and convention facilities;

(5) one or more ex officio nonvoting members including at least one from the
University of Minnesota Tourism Center;

(6) four legislators, two from each house, one each from the two largest political
party caucuses in each house, appointed according to the rules of the respective houses; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

new text begin (7) not more than 12 representatives of natural resources, history, the arts,
transportation, health, tourism, and related areas from public or private organizations
and businesses; and
new text end

deleted text begin (7) deleted text end new text begin (8) new text end other persons, if any, as designated from time to time by the governor.

(b) The council shall act to serve the broader interests of tourism in Minnesota
by promoting activities that support, maintain, and expand the state's domestic and
international travel market, thereby generating increased visitor expenditures, tax revenue,
and employment.

(c) Filling of membership vacancies is as provided in section 15.059. The terms of
one-half of the members shall be coterminous with the governor and the terms of the
remaining one-half of the members shall end on the first Monday in January one year after
the terms of the other members. Members may serve until their successors are appointed
and qualify. Members are not compensated. A member may be reappointed.

(d) The council shall meet at least four times per year and at other times determined
by the council. Notwithstanding section 15.059, the council does not expire.

(e) If compliance with section 13D.02 is impractical, the Explore Minnesota Tourism
Council may conduct a meeting of its members by telephone or other electronic means so
long as the following conditions are met:

(1) all members of the council participating in the meeting, wherever their physical
location, can hear one another and can hear all discussion and testimony;

(2) members of the public present at the regular meeting location of the council can
hear clearly all discussion and testimony and all votes of members of the council and, if
needed, receive those services required by sections 15.44 and 15.441;

(3) at least one member of the council is physically present at the regular meeting
location; and

(4) all votes are conducted by roll call, so each member's vote on each issue can be
identified and recorded.

(f) Each member of the council participating in a meeting by telephone or other
electronic means is considered present at the meeting for purposes of determining a
quorum and participating in all proceedings.

(g) If telephone or other electronic means is used to conduct a meeting, the council,
to the extent practical, shall allow a person to monitor the meeting electronically from a
remote location. The council may require the person making such a connection to pay for
documented marginal costs that the council incurs as a result of the additional connection.

(h) If telephone or other electronic means is used to conduct a regular, special, or
emergency meeting, the council shall provide notice of the regular meeting location, of the
fact that some members may participate by telephone or other electronic means, and of
the provisions of paragraph (g). The timing and method of providing notice is governed
by section 13D.04.