§13090-G. Travel Promotion Matching Fund Program

(REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 5, SECTION 13080-S)

1.  Statement of purpose.  The Travel Promotion Matching Fund Program is established for the following purposes:

A. To allow the State to provide part of the funds necessary for public and private, nonprofit travel promotional organizations to conduct promotional programs; and   [RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]

B. To strengthen the State's image by coordinating the promotional efforts of the private sector with those of the Office of Tourism.   [PL 2003, c. 198, §11 (AMD).]

[PL 2003, c. 198, §11 (AMD).]

2.  Eligible organization.  Matching funds must be made available to those nonprofit travel promotional organizations that best meet the purposes of this section. An organization may not disburse state matching funds to a private, for-profit business for the purpose of promoting its goods, services, functions or activities.

[RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]

3.  Limitations.  This section does not reduce any organization's financial participation in any ongoing project, but rather to increase or develop new programs. The grant program as established in subsection 4, must be geared to specific promotional efforts and costs and is not intended to match any administrative costs, including any form of personal services.

[RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]

4.  Administration.  The Office of Tourism in consultation with the tourism industry shall administer the Travel Promotion Matching Fund Program with such flexibility as to bring about the most effective and economical travel promotion program possible. Applications from all regions of the State must be equally considered. The Office of Tourism shall consult with the tourism industry in the development of rules and procedures necessary and appropriate to the proper operation of the Travel Promotion Matching Fund Program. These rules must establish eligibility requirements, allocation formulas, application procedures and criteria subject to the final approval of the commissioner. The Office of Tourism, in consultation with the tourism industry, shall establish a schedule and process for review and approval of grant applications. Grants must be approved by the Director of the Office of Tourism prior to any disbursement of funds.

[PL 2011, c. 563, §7 (AMD).]

5.  Bookkeeping systems.  The department and all tourist promotional organizations qualifying for matching funds under this section shall keep accurate records of any applications, transactions, payment receipts and correspondence relating to the implementation of the Travel Promotion Matching Fund Program.

A. The department shall establish a standard accounting procedure to be used by any organization receiving money under this section.   [RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]

B. The records of any organization pertaining to accounts and contracts funded with money under this section must be open to audit by the State or by any firm employed by the State to audit these records.   [RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]

Additional matching funds may not be awarded to an organization until the provisions of this subsection have been met.

[RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]

SECTION HISTORY

RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL). PL 2003, c. 198, §§11,12 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 563, §7 (AMD).