PA 07-220—sSB 1277

Commerce Committee

Government Administration and Elections Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING TOURISM DISTRICT REPRESENTATION AND THE CONNECTICUT MUSIC HALL OF FAME

SUMMARY: This act (1) allows members of regional tourism district boards of directors to serve on the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism (CCCT) and (2) requires the seven appointed CCCT members representing tourism to have both knowledge and experience in the tourism industry.

The act also establishes a six-member Connecticut Music Hall of Fame Committee to develop a plan to create and operate a hall of fame to recognize Connecticut residents distinguished in the music field. It allows the committee to solicit and receive financial and in-kind contributions and other valuable items from any source for the music hall of fame.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage

CCCT TOURISM MEMBER QUALIFICATIONS

The CCCT has authority over state activities relating to the humanities, history, art, film and digital media, and tourism. It has 35 voting members appointed by the governor and legislative leaders.

The act tightens the required qualifications for commission appointees representing tourism. Under prior law, the governor and legislative leaders each had to appoint one member who has knowledge, experience, or an interest in tourism. The act instead requires these appointees to have knowledge and experience in the tourism industry.

CONNECTICUT MUSIC HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE

Members

Each of the committee's six members is appointed by one of the six top legislative leaders. The leaders must make their appointments within 30 days after the act's passage. Appointing authorities fill any vacancies. The House speaker and the Senate president pro tempore must select the committee chairperson from among the members. The chairperson must schedule, and the committee must hold, its first meeting within 60 days of the act's passage.

Plan

The act requires the hall of fame plan to include a recommended location, criteria for hall of fame members, and rules for operating the hall of fame. The committee must submit a report on the plan to the Commerce Committee by February 1, 2008.

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