§29-1-1. Abolishing the Department of Arts, Culture, and History and reorganizing its sections under the Department of Tourism; sections and commissions; purposes; definitions; effective date.

(a) On July 1, 2025, the Department of Arts, Culture, and History, is abolished and its authorities and duties transferred to the Department of Tourism.

(b) On July 1, 2025, the following sections and commissions shall be reorganized under the Department of Tourism:

(1) The Arts Section;

(2) The Archives and History Section;

(3) The Museums Section;

(4) The Historic Preservation Section;

(5) The State Library Section;

(6) The National Coal Heritage Area Commission;

(7) The Administrative Section;

(8) The Educational Broadcasting Commission;

(9) A Commission on the Arts;

(10) A Commission on Archives and History;

(11) A Library Commission; and

(12) An Educational Broadcasting Council.

(c) On and after July 1, 2025, the Secretary of the Department of Tourism shall exercise control and supervision over each section and commission listed in subsection (b) of this section and shall be responsible for the projects, programs, and actions of each of its sections. The purpose and duty of these sections and commissions is to advance, foster, and promote the creative and performing arts and crafts, including both indoor and outdoor exhibits and performances; to advance, foster, promote, identify, register, acquire, mark, and care for historical, prehistorical, archaeological, and significant architectural sites, structures, and objects in the state; to encourage the promotion, preservation, and development of significant sites, structures, and objects through the use of economic development activities such as loans, subsidies, grants, and other incentives; to coordinate all cultural, historical, and artistic activities in state government and at state-owned facilities; to acquire, preserve, and classify books, documents, records, and memorabilia of historical interest or importance; and, in general, to do all things necessary or convenient to preserve and advance the arts, humanities, culture, and history of the state.

(d) The Secretary of the Department of Tourism has jurisdiction and control and may set and collect fees for the use of all space in the building presently known as the West Virginia Science and Culture Center, including the deck and courtyards forming an integral part thereof; the building presently known as West Virginia Independence Hall in Wheeling, including all the grounds and appurtenances thereof; "Camp Washington Carver" in Fayette County, as provided in §29-1-14 of this code; and any other sites as may be transferred to or acquired by the department. Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, beginning on and after July 1, 2018, the department shall have responsibility for, and control of, all visitor touring and visitor tour guide activities within the Capitol Building at Charleston.

(e) For the purposes of this article, "department" means the Department of Tourism and "secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of Tourism. On and after July 1, 2025, references throughout this code to the "Commissioner of Culture and History" or the "Curator of the Department of Arts, Culture, and History" mean the " Secretary of the Department of Tourism and references throughout this code to the "Division of Culture and History" or "Department of Arts, Culture, and History," mean the "Department of Tourism".