AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SPORTS ADVISORY BOARD.

This bill requires the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism's (CCCT) executive director to appoint a Sports Advisory Board within CCCT to advise her about how to promote the state's sports industry. The members must include state officials and representatives of specified organizations that sponsor or conduct sporting events. The director may add more members. She must appoint the board, by October 1, 2008, and CCCT must provide the staff to support it.

The board must convene its first meeting by November 15, 2008 and meet at least quarterly thereafter. The board members may appoint a chairperson from among themselves whose duties include scheduling and conducting meetings. The director must report annually to the Commerce Committee on the board's activity. The report is due within 30 days before the legislature meets in regular session.

*Senate Amendment “A” adds the following organizations that must be represented on the board: Nutmeg State Games, Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, Fairfield University, Quinnipiac University, and Sacred Heart University.

*House Amendment “A” adds the Connecticut State Golf Association and Dodd Stadium to the list of organizations that must be represented on the board.

1. effectively use state resources to promote, attract, and market in-state professional and amateur sports and sporting events;

2. develop methods to coordinate the way information is disseminated in the state and the Northeast about in-state sports and sporting events; and

3. coordinate the use of state-owned facilities to enhance sports-related tourism in Connecticut.

The board must submit any recommendations on these topics to the director within 30 days after it meets.

1. the athletic departments of the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut State University System;

2. XL Center (formerly, the Hartford Civic Center);

3. Northland AEG (an LLC that manages sports facilities);

4. Traveler's Championship Golf Tournament;

5. Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament;

6. Special Olympics;

7. Mohegan Sun Arena;

8. Foxwoods Resort Casino;

9. Lime Rock Park Race Track;

10. Arena at Harbor Yard;

11. New Britain Stadium;

12. Connecticut Marine Trade Association;

13. Office of Policy and Management;

14. Department of Economic and Community Development;

15. Capital City Economic Development Authority;

16. Nutmeg State Games;

17. Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference;

18. Fairfield University;

19. Quinnipiac University;

20. Sacred Heart University;

21. Connecticut State Golf Association; and

22. Dodd Stadium.

The director may also appoint additional members representing entities involved in sports or sporting events she deems appropriate.

The director must report annually to the Commerce Committee about the board. The report must include (1) the status of the board's activities, (2) any of the board's recommendations being implemented, and (3) any legislative recommendations.