(a) The Department of Tourism and Marketing, within the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, shall be responsible for the publication of Vermont Life magazine. The mission of Vermont Life magazine shall be to promote subtly the State in a premier-quality magazine filled with the best writing, illustration, art, and photography Vermont has to offer. Every issue of Vermont Life magazine shall celebrate the unique heritage, countryside, traditions, and people of Vermont and explore issues of contemporary interest to Vermonters and visitors of the State.

(b) The overall operations of Vermont Life magazine shall be managed by a publisher, who shall be a State employee exempt from the classified service and who shall report to the Commissioner of Tourism and Marketing. The editorial functions of Vermont Life magazine shall be directed by an editor, who shall be a State employee exempt from the classified service and who shall report to the publisher. Vermont Life magazine editorial decisions shall be made by Vermont Life magazine editorial staff pursuant to the mission of the magazine and shall be protected from and independent of outside influence, including that from the Legislative or Executive Branch of State government.

(c) An enterprise fund for the operation of Vermont Life magazine is created, which shall consist of all revenues derived from the sale of Vermont Life magazine, advertising in Vermont Life magazine, the sale of other products under the Vermont Life label, digital and other emerging media, advisory services, sponsorships, grants, events, promotions, competitions, partnerships, licensing, fundraisers, markups on retail sales of other parties' products, other commercial activities that are consistent with Vermont Life values and supportive of the Vermont brand and approved by the Secretary with the consultation of the Vermont Life Advisory Board established in Executive Order #22-2, any interest earned by Vermont Life magazine, and all sums which are from time to time appropriated for the support of Vermont Life magazine and its operations.

(d) All expenses incurred in the production, publication, and sale of Vermont Life magazine, advertising, and other products under the Vermont Life label shall be paid from the Enterprise Fund.

(e) The receipt and expenditure of monies from the Enterprise Fund shall be under the supervision of the business manager and at the direction of the publisher, subject to the provisions of this section. Vermont Life magazine shall maintain accurate and complete records of all receipts and expenditures by and from the Fund. (Added 1991, No. 145 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; amended 1995, No. 46, § 26; 1995, No. 190 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 2007, No. 11, § 1, eff. April 26, 2007; 2007, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2011, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. May 14, 2012; 2011, No. 162 (Adj. Sess.), § E.806.)