§5B-2I-7. Tourism Advisory Council; members, appointment, and expenses.

(a) There is continued within the Department of Tourism an independent Tourism Advisory Council.

(b) The Tourism Advisory Council consists of the following 11 members:

(1) The Director of the Department of Economic Development or his or her designee, ex officio;

(2) The Secretary of Transportation or his or her designee, ex officio; and

(3) Nine members appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, representing participants in the state's tourism industry.

(c) Each member appointed by the Governor serves a staggered term of four years. Any member whose term has expired serves until his or her successor has been appointed. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy serves only for the unexpired term. Any member is eligible for reappointment. In case of a vacancy in the office of a member, the vacancy shall be filled by the Governor in the same manner as the original appointment.

(d) The chair of the Tourism Advisory Council shall be appointed by the Governor from members then serving on the commission, and serves at the will and pleasure of the Governor.

(e) The Tourism Advisory Council shall:

(1) Advise the secretary of the Department of Tourism in the development and implementation of the state's comprehensive tourism advertising, marketing, promotion, and development strategy; and

(2) Take all actions, in consultation with the secretary, necessary to settle, finalize, and conclude all outstanding advertising grants or other financial obligations of the Tourism Advisory Council respecting funds in the Tourism Promotion Fund previously approved, expended, or obligated by the Tourism Advisory Council as of the effective date of this article.

(f) Members of the Tourism Advisory Council are not entitled to compensation for services performed as members. Each member is entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in the discharge of their official duties. All expenses incurred by members from the private sector shall be paid in a manner consistent with guidelines of the Travel Management Office of the Department of Administration and are payable solely from the funds of the Department of Tourism or from funds appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature. Liability or obligation is not incurred by the Department of Tourism beyond the extent to which moneys are available from funds of the authority or from the appropriations.

(g) Members shall meet at least quarterly as designated by the chair.