SB 137 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE TOURISM ADVISORY BOARD.

Summary

This Act is a result of the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee's review of the Tourism Advisory Board ("Board"). First formed in 1981, the Board has served in an advisory role to the Delaware Tourism Office, Division of Small Business, and the Department of State. The Board's primary purpose is advocating for and promoting tourism in Delaware. Its duties include researching and studying matters appropriate to best support the Delaware Tourism Office functions. The Board was once heavily involved in providing the Tourism Office with advice and support. By 2013, however, the Tourism Office's need for the Board's advice and support decreased, as the Tourism Office's staffing and funding structure were improved under the Delaware Economic Development Office. Now under the Division of Small Business, the work of the Tourism Office is captured in the Division's annual report, which has not referenced the Board for at least the last 5 years. The Board's only official act since 2018 was a letter to the General Assembly to support the inclusion of short-term rentals under the State's Public Accommodations Tax. Over the last 10 years, the Tourism Office has run a successful tourism program without the advice or support of the Board, including winning prestigious industry awards, launching marketing initiatives, holding workshops to support the tourism industry, and releasing the latest Value of Tourism publication in 2019. For these reasons, and with the support of the Tourism Office, the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee concluded that, although the Board once served an important role in tourism in Delaware, the Board is no longer meeting its statutory duties or fulfilling a state need, and that the Board should be terminated. This Act therefore terminates the Tourism Advisory Board.

Bill Text

• Bill Text View text Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill repeals the Tourism Advisory Board in Delaware, effectively terminating its functions and authority.

• § 8702A

  "Board" means the Tourism Advisory Board created by § 8708A of this title.

  Removes the definition of the Tourism Advisory Board from the Delaware Code.

• § 8708A

  The Tourism Advisory Board is hereby established and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Director and shall consider matters relating to the promotion of the State as a destination for tourists and other travelers and such other matters as may be referred to it, by the Governor, the Secretary, or by the Director. The Board may study, research, plan and advise the Director, the Secretary, and the Governor, on matters it deems appropriate to enable the Division to function in the best possible manner.

  Repeals the establishment and functions of the Tourism Advisory Board.

• § 8716A(c)

  the Tourism Advisory Board

  Removes the requirement for the Division to submit reports to the Tourism Advisory Board.

Action History

1. July 25, 2023

   Signed by Governor

2. June 22, 2023

   Passed By House. Votes: 38 YES 3 ABSENT

3. June 20, 2023

   Reported Out of Committee (Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability)) in House with 3 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits

4. June 14, 2023

   Assigned to Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability) Committee in House

5. June 13, 2023

   Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

6. June 07, 2023

   Reported Out of Committee (Legislative Oversight & Sunset) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits

7. May 19, 2023

   Introduced and Assigned to Legislative Oversight & Sunset Committee in Senate

Sponsors

• Stell Parker Selby · Primary
• Bryan Townsend · Primary
• Richard G. Collins · Primary
• Bryant L. Richardson · Primary
• Brian Pettyjohn · Primary
• Russell Huxtable · Primary
• Kendra Johnson · Primary
• Kyra L. Hoffner · Primary
• Sherry Dorsey Walker · Primary

Votes

Subjects