HF 1880

as introduced - 82nd Legislature (2001 - 2002) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

  1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to economic development; transferring 
  1.3             authority for the travel information franchise program 
  1.4             from the commissioner of transportation to the 
  1.5             commissioner of trade and economic development; 
  1.6             appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2000, 
  1.7             sections 116J.615, subdivision 1; 160.276, 
  1.8             subdivisions 1 and 3; 160.277; and 160.278, 
  1.9             subdivision 3. 
  1.10  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.11     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 116J.615, 
  1.12  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  1.13     Subdivision 1.  [DUTIES OF DIRECTOR.] The director of 
  1.14  tourism shall:  
  1.15     (1) publish, disseminate, and distribute informational and 
  1.16  promotional literature; 
  1.17     (2) promote and encourage the expansion and development of 
  1.18  international tourism marketing; 
  1.19     (3) advertise and disseminate information about travel 
  1.20  opportunities in the state of Minnesota; 
  1.21     (4) aid various local communities to improve their tourism 
  1.22  marketing programs; 
  1.23     (5) coordinate and implement a comprehensive state tourism 
  1.24  marketing program that takes into consideration all public and 
  1.25  private businesses and attractions; 
  1.26     (6) conduct market research and analysis to improve 
  1.27  marketing techniques in the area of tourism; 
  2.1      (7) investigate and study conditions affecting Minnesota's 
  2.2   tourism industry, collect and disseminate information, and 
  2.3   engage in technical studies, scientific investigations, and 
  2.4   statistical research and educational activities necessary or 
  2.5   useful for the proper execution of the powers and duties of the 
  2.6   director in promoting and developing Minnesota's tourism 
  2.7   industry, both within and outside the state; 
  2.8      (8) apply for, accept, receive, and expend any funds for 
  2.9   the promotion of tourism in Minnesota.  All money received by 
  2.10  the director under this subdivision shall be deposited in the 
  2.11  state treasury and is appropriated to the director for the 
  2.12  purposes for which the money has been received.  The director 
  2.13  may enter into interagency agreements and may agree to share net 
  2.14  revenues with the contributing agencies.  The money does not 
  2.15  cancel and is available until expended; and 
  2.16     (9) plan and conduct information and publicity programs to 
  2.17  attract tourists, visitors, and other interested persons from 
  2.18  outside the state to this state; encourage and coordinate 
  2.19  efforts of other public and private organizations or groups of 
  2.20  citizens to publicize facilities and attractions in this state; 
  2.21  and work with representatives of the hospitality and tourism 
  2.22  industry to carry out its programs; and 
  2.23     (10) operate a network of travel information services.  
  2.24     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 160.276, 
  2.25  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  2.26     Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHED.] The commissioner of 
  2.27  transportation trade and economic development shall establish a 
  2.28  franchise program to lease space within tourist information 
  2.29  centers and safety rest areas for the purpose of providing 
  2.30  information to travelers through travel-related commercial and 
  2.31  public service advertising.  
  2.32     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 160.276, 
  2.33  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  2.34     Subd. 3.  [FACILITIES.] The program may also include 
  2.35  franchises for the construction, operation and maintenance of 
  2.36  additional information structures by and at the expense of the 
  3.1   franchisee on state-owned lands within safety rest or tourist 
  3.2   information center areas.  All structures constructed by the 
  3.3   franchisee shall meet or exceed specifications prescribed by the 
  3.4   commissioner of transportation trade and economic development 
  3.5   and shall satisfy the requirements of the State Building Code 
  3.6   for accessibility by the physically handicapped.  All structures 
  3.7   shall be designed to enhance their site and shall be 
  3.8   aesthetically compatible with the natural environment.  
  3.9      Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 160.277, is 
  3.10  amended to read: 
  3.11     160.277 [COMMISSIONER TO GRANT FRANCHISES.] 
  3.12     Subdivision 1.  [PROCEDURE; AGREEMENT.] The commissioner of 
  3.13  transportation trade and economic development, by public 
  3.14  negotiation or bid, shall grant franchises for the purposes of 
  3.15  section 160.276.  Each franchise agreement shall include the 
  3.16  safety rest areas and tourist information centers in a 
  3.17  geographical area comprising approximately one-quarter of the 
  3.18  land area of the state.  The franchise agreement shall insure 
  3.19  that the franchisee provide services throughout the area in as 
  3.20  many tourist information centers and safety rest areas as are 
  3.21  reasonably necessary for the convenience of travelers.  
  3.22     Subd. 2.  [INSURANCE.] The commissioner of transportation 
  3.23  shall require the franchisee to obtain liability insurance in an 
  3.24  amount prescribed by the commissioner jointly insuring the state 
  3.25  and the franchisee against any and all liability for claims for 
  3.26  damage occurring wholly or partly because of the existence of 
  3.27  the franchise.  
  3.28     Subd. 3.  [REVENUE.] The franchise agreement may provide 
  3.29  that a percentage of the gross revenues derived from advertising 
  3.30  shall be paid to the state for deposit in the trunk highway fund 
  3.31  a dedicated account in the state treasury.  Money in the account 
  3.32  is appropriated for the purpose of providing travel information 
  3.33  or for the purpose of section 116J.615, subdivision 1, clause 
  3.34  (8). 
  3.35     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 160.278, 
  3.36  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  4.1      Subd. 3.  [REASONABLE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.] The 
  4.2   commissioner of transportation trade and economic development 
  4.3   may require additional reasonable terms and conditions to be 
  4.4   included in the franchise agreement, including but not limited 
  4.5   to, provisions governing the renewal and termination of the 
  4.6   agreement, and in the event of termination, the rights of the 
  4.7   state and the franchisee in advertising contracts and in 
  4.8   buildings constructed by the franchisee.  
  4.9      Sec. 6.  [REVISOR INSTRUCTION.] 
  4.10     The revisor shall recodify Minnesota Statutes, sections 
  4.11  160.276, 160.277, and 160.278 in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 
  4.12  116J, and change cross-references accordingly.