(a) The Governor shall appoint a Tourism Selection Committee based upon recommendations from established industry associations. The committee shall consist of 25 representatives, with no fewer than six from each industry category. In selecting the representatives, the Governor shall, to the extent possible, give recognition to the diversity within each industry category. The committee shall select a chairperson from among its members. The office shall provide staffing for the committee.
(b) The selection committee shall convene on or before March 1, 1996. Not later than 150 days following the initial convening of the committee, the committee shall issue a report listing the following:
(1) Industry segments that will be included in the initial referendum.
(2) The target assessment level for the initial referendum.
(3) Percentage of funds to be levied against each industry category and segment. To the extent possible, the percentages shall be based upon quantifiable industry data, and amounts to be levied against industry segments shall bear an appropriate relationship to the benefit derived from travel and tourism by those industry segments.
(4) Assessment methodology and rate of assessment within each industry segment, that may include, but is not limited to, a percentage of gross revenue or a per transaction charge.
(5) Businesses, if any, within a segment to be assessed at a reduced rate, which may be set at zero, whether temporarily or permanently.
(6) Initial slate of proposed elected commissioners. The number of commissioners elected from each industry category shall be determined by the weighted percentage of assessments from that category.
(c) Nothing in this section shall preclude the selection committee from setting the assessment rate for a business within a segment at a lower rate, which may be set at zero, than a rate applicable to other businesses within that segment if the selection committee makes specific findings that the lower rate should apply due to unique geographical, financial, or other circumstances affecting the business. No business for which a zero assessment rate is set pursuant to this subdivision shall be sent a ballot or entitled to participate in the initial referendum, or in any subsequent referendum in which its rate of assessment is set at zero.
(d) The committee members for each industry category, also referred to as a subcommittee, shall prepare a recommendation for the entire committee on how the items specified in subdivision (b) should be determined for the industry segments within their industry category. The recommendations shall not include a discussion of industry category levies, which shall be determined solely by the committee. In the event that the subcommittee cannot agree on one or more of the items specified in subdivision (b), no recommendation shall be given in that category. The recommendations shall be presented to the full committee, which shall address each of the items contained in subdivision (b).
(e) In order to be assessed, an industry segment must be defined with sufficient clarity to allow for the cost-effective identification of assessed businesses within that segment.
(f) It shall be the responsibility of the office to advertise widely the selection committee process and to schedule public meetings for potential assessed businesses to provide input to the selection committee.
(g) The recommendations developed by the committee pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be reviewed and approved by the director.
(h) The selection committee process and report are exempt from the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1).
(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 256. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)