HB 0537

AN ACT relative to the land and community heritage investment program and the state's travel and tourism promotion and development effort and making appropriations therefor.

SPONSORS: Rep. M. Fuller Clark, Rock 36; Rep. Scanlan, Graf 11; Rep. Musler, Straf 6; Rep. Burling, Sull 1; Rep. J. Bradley, Carr 8; Sen. Hollingworth, Dist 23; Sen. Gordon, Dist 2; Sen. Larsen, Dist 15; Sen. Below, Dist 5

This bill provides funding for the land and community heritage investment program and for travel and tourism development from the general fund through the operating budget. The bill also makes appropriations for the land and community heritage investment program and for travel and tourism development.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT relative to the land and community heritage investment program and the state's travel and tourism promotion and development effort and making appropriations therefor.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Purpose. Pursuant to RSA 227-M:1, the general court declares it to be in the public interest to maintain New Hampshire's quality of life and economic vitality through the balancing of growth and development with careful protection of the state's most important natural, cultural, and historical resources. To achieve this balance, the general court has established the land and community heritage investment program under RSA 227-M. The general court recognizes that the success of this program shall depend upon a permanent and reliable source of revenues. The general court further declares it to be in the public interest to secure such funding as is appropriate to fully implement the land and community heritage investment program for the fiscal biennium ending in 2003 and beyond. The general court also recognizes that additional prudent investments in travel and tourism promotion can enhance the state's quality of life and provide significant economic return to the state of New Hampshire. The general court finds that conserving the state's natural, cultural, and historical resources is essential to developing the quality travel and tourism industry that is desired by both the general public and the tourism industry itself. The general court declares it to be in the public interest to secure such funding as is appropriate in order that the division of travel and tourism, department of resources and economic development, can implement an enhanced travel and tourism development program, both for the benefit of the tourism industry and to increase tourism-related revenues to the state to offset increased investments in both the land and community heritage investment program and travel and tourism development.

I. In its final report dated November, 1999, the commission to determine the feasibility of a public-private partnership to conserve New Hampshire's priority natural, cultural, and historic resources (the commission), established pursuant to chapter 161 of the laws of 1998, recommended permanent, dedicated funding for the proposed land and community heritage investment program of at least $12,000,000 annually.

II. Chapter 245 of the laws of 2000 established the land and community heritage investment program and provided a one-time appropriation of $3,000,000 from the New Hampshire economic development fund established under RSA 12-A:2-e.

III. The mutual interdependence between the vitality of the tourism economy and conservation and preservation of our most important natural, historical, and cultural resources has been widely acknowledged. In May, 1998, more than 70 tourism and other business leaders attending a tourism summit meeting concluded that: "New Hampshire will only be a good place to visit if it continues to be a good place to live. Visitors will come only if we work proactively to retain our open spaces, rich historic and cultural attractions, and livable communities."

IV. It is generally acknowledged that state investment in travel and tourism development yields significant net returns to state and local revenues. The Institute for New Hampshire Studies at Plymouth State College has determined this return to the state general fund to be $7.61 for every $1 invested in travel and tourism promotion and development activities by the division of travel and tourism development. In addition, each $1 invested returned $1.52 to local revenues, based on 1998 data.

V. Enhanced state support of travel and tourism development will generate returns on investment sufficient to offset allocation of revenues from the general fund to the purposes set forth in this act.

3 New Section; Department of Resources and Economic Development; Travel and Tourism Development; Travel and Tourism Development Fund. Amend RSA 12-A by inserting after section 43 the following new section:

I. There is hereby established in the office of the state treasurer a fund to be known as the travel and tourism development fund. Any appropriations received shall be deposited in the fund. Moneys in the fund and any interest earned on the fund shall be used for the purpose of promoting and developing appropriate travel and tourism initiatives through the division of travel and tourism development and shall not be used for any other purpose. The director of travel and tourism development shall oversee expenditures from the fund. The moneys in the fund shall be non-lapsing and shall be continually appropriated to the department of resources and economic development.

II. The commissioner of resources and economic development shall prepare an annual report to be presented no later than December 1 of each year to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the governor and council, and filed with the state library. The report shall detail the specific activities supported by, and expenditures from, the fund during the past year.

III. Beginning with fiscal year 2003 and each fiscal year thereafter, all state funding for the development fund shall be by general fund revenues in an amount not less than $4,000,000. Federal funds accepted by the commissioner and the governor and council for the purposes similar to those of this chapter may be deposited in the fund.

4 Subsequent Funding for the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program. RSA 227-M:7, III is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

III. Beginning with fiscal year 2003 and each fiscal year thereafter, all state funding for the trust fund shall be by general fund sums in the amount of the increased revenue resulting from expenditures on travel and tourism from the travel and tourism development fund pursuant to RSA 12-A:43-a, as determined by the division of travel and tourism's Travel Economics Report, less the $4,000,000 to be invested pursuant to RSA 12-A:43-a, III. State funding to the New Hampshire land and community heritage investment program shall not exceed $16,000,000 per fiscal year. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant from the general fund to satisfy the state's obligation under this section. Federal funds accepted by the committee and the governor and council for the purposes similar to those of this chapter may be deposited in the fund.

5 New Subparagraphs; Travel and Tourism Development Fund; Land and Community Heritage Investment Program. Amend RSA 6:12, I by inserting after subparagraph (dddd) the following new subparagraphs:

(eeee) Moneys received for deposit in the travel and tourism development fund established by RSA 12-A:43-a, I.

(ffff) Moneys received pursuant to RSA 227-M:7 for deposit in the trust fund for the New Hampshire land and community heritage investment program.

6 Appropriation for the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program. The sum of $4,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002, is hereby appropriated to the trust fund for the New Hampshire land and community heritage investment program. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

7 Appropriation for the Travel and Tourism Development Fund. The sum of $4,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002, is hereby appropriated to the travel and tourism development fund. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. These funds are in addition to any current funding mechanisms or appropriations.

AN ACT relative to a dedicated revenue source for the land and community heritage investment program and the state's travel and tourism promotion and development effort.

The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is unable to complete a fiscal note for this bill as it is awaiting information from an agency.