143B-434.1. The North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board - creation, duties, membership.
(a) There is created within the Department of Commerce the North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board. The Secretary of Commerce and the nonprofit corporation with which the Department contracts pursuant to G.S. 143B-431.01(b) to promote and market tourism will work with the Board to fulfill the duties and requirements set forth in this section, and to promote the sound development of the travel and tourism industry in North Carolina.
(b) The function and duties of the Board shall be:
(1) To advise the Secretary of Commerce in the formulation of policy and priorities for the promotion and development of travel and tourism in the State.
(2) To advise the Secretary of Commerce in the development of a budget for achieving the goals of the Travel and Tourism Policy Act, as provided in G.S. 143B-434.2 and the nonprofit corporation contracted to promote and market tourism.
(3) To recommend programs to the Secretary of Commerce that will promote the State as a travel and tourism destination and that will develop travel and tourism opportunities throughout the State.
(4) To advise the Secretary of Commerce every three months as to the effectiveness of agencies with which the Department has contracted for advertising and regarding the selection of an advertising agency that will assist the Department in the promotion of the State as a travel and tourism destination.
(5) Repealed by Session Laws 2016-94, s. 15.6(a), effective July 14, 2016, and applicable to appointments made on or after that date.
(6) To advise the Secretary of Commerce from time to time as to the effectiveness of the overall operations of the travel and tourism programs under the authority of the Department of Commerce.
(7) To promote the exchange of ideas and information on travel and tourism between State and local governmental agencies, and private organizations and individuals.
(8) To advise the Secretary of Commerce upon any matter that the Secretary, chief executive officer of the nonprofit corporation, or Governor may refer to it.
(9) To promote policies that support tourism in North Carolina.
(10) To advise the General Assembly on tourism policy matters upon request of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Governmental Operations or the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources.
(c) The Board shall consist of 19 members as follows:
(1) The Secretary of Commerce, who shall not be a voting member.
(2) The chief executive officer of the nonprofit corporation with which the Department contracts pursuant to G.S. 143B-431.01(b), who shall not be a voting member.
(3) One member designated by the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association, representing the lodging sector.
(4) One member designated by the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association, representing the restaurant sector.
(5) One member of the Destination Marketing Association of North Carolina designated by the Board of Directors of the Destination Marketing Association of North Carolina.
(6) The Chair of the Travel and Tourism Coalition or the Chair's designee.
(7) One person who is a member of the Travel and Tourism Coalition designated by the Board of Directors of the Travel and Tourism Coalition.
(8) A member designated by the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Travel Industry Association.
(9), (10) Repealed by Session Laws 2016-94, s. 15.6(a), effective July 14, 2016, and applicable to appointments made on or after that date.
(11) Four persons appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; one of whom shall be associated with the tourism industry and one of whom shall not be a member of the General Assembly.
(12) Four persons appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; one of whom shall be associated with the tourism industry and one of whom shall not be a member of the General Assembly.
(13) Repealed by Session Laws 2016-94, s. 15.6(a), effective July 14, 2016, and applicable to appointments made on or after that date.
(14) Two members appointed by the Governor, one of whom is involved in the tourism industry.
(15) One at-large member appointed by the Board of the nonprofit corporation with which the Department contracts pursuant to G.S. 143B-431.01(b).
(16), (17) Repealed by Session Laws 2016-94, s. 15.6(a), effective July 14, 2016, and applicable to appointments made on or after that date.
(d) The members of the Board shall serve the following terms: the Secretary of Commerce, the chief executive officer of the nonprofit corporation with which the Department contracts pursuant to G.S. 143B-431.01(b), and the Chair of the Travel and Tourism Coalition shall serve on the Board while they hold their respective offices. Each member of the Board appointed by the Governor shall serve during his or her term of office. The members of the Board appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall serve two-year terms beginning on September 1 of even-numbered years and ending on August 31. The first such term shall begin on September 1, 2016, or as soon thereafter as the member is appointed to the Board, and end on August 31, 2018. All other members of the Board shall serve a term which includes the portion of calendar year 2016 that remains following their appointment or designation and ends on August 31, 2017, and, thereafter, two-year terms which shall begin on September 1 of an odd-numbered year and end on August 31. The first such two-year term shall begin on September 1, 2017, and end on August 31, 2019.
(e) No member of the Board, except a member serving by virtue of his or her office, shall serve during more than five consecutive calendar years, except that a member shall continue to serve until his or her successor is appointed.
(f) Appointments to fill vacancies in the membership of the Board that occur due to resignation, dismissal, death, or disability of a member shall be for the balance of the unexpired term and shall be made by the same appointing authority that made the initial appointment.
(g) Board members who are employees of the State shall receive travel allowances at the rate set forth in G.S. 138-6. Board members who are legislators shall be reimbursed for travel and subsistence in accordance with G.S. 120-3.1. All other Board members, except those serving pursuant to subdivisions (3) through (7) of subsection (c) of this section, shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel expenses, paid by the Department of Commerce, at the rate set forth in G.S. 138-5. Board members serving pursuant to subdivisions (3) through (7) of subsection (c) of this section shall not receive per diem, subsistence, or travel expenses but shall be reimbursed at the discretion of the appointing organization.
(h) The Board shall elect one of its voting members to serve as Chairperson. At its last regularly scheduled meeting each year, the Board shall elect one of its voting members to serve as Chairperson for the coming calendar year. No person shall serve as Chairperson during more than three consecutive calendar years. The Chairperson shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected.
(i) A majority of the current voting membership shall constitute a quorum.
(j) The Secretary of Commerce shall provide clerical and other services as required by the Board.