NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

 

The most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website.  The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not.  Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

 

 

F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

HBIC

 

DATE TYPED:

3/17/03

 

HB

CS/1005/HFl #1

 

SHORT TITLE:

Tourism Revenue Enterprise Fund

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Collard

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

NFI

 

See Narrative

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

REVENUE

 

Estimated Revenue

Subsequent

Years Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

 

 

See Narrative

Recurring

Tourism Enterprise Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

Tourism Department

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of HFl Amendment #1

 

The first House Floor Amendment to House Bill 1005 makes a technical adjustment to delete “MAKING AN APPROPRIATION” from the bill.

 

     Synopsis of Original Bill

 

House Bill 1005 creates the “tourism enterprise fund” to be maintained by the state treasurer and administered by the Tourism Department.  The fund will consist of sales of souvenirs and sundries at visitors’ centers, web-site related sales, television special program rights, gifts, grants, fees, penalties, bequests, money appropriated to the fund by the legislature, or any other source of money.  The department may use the fund to carry out the duties of the department through a voucher signed by the Secretary of Tourism and upon warrant drawn by the Secretary of Finance and Administration.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

While there is no appropriation associated with this bill, the Tourism Department anticipates an increase in the budget with the use of this fund.  The department currently has no way of estimating fund revenues, as this money is not currently collected.  The money in the tourism enterprise fund shall not revert to the general fund at the end of any fiscal year. 

 

Possible Continuing Appropriations

 

This bill creates a new fund and, through language, provides for possible appropriations.  The LFC supports a self-generating fund, but objects to possible continuing appropriations, as earmarking reduces the ability of the legislature to establish spending priorities.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

 

The Tourism Department indicates the fund will help the department operate with its partners in promotion and advertising.  The department notes the bill and the fund could increase access to the department web site and increase sales of links and other programming.  The department anticipates administering the fund with existing staff and infrastructure.

 

TECHNICAL ISSUES

 

It should be noted that on page 1, lines 25 and page 2, line 1, the money will be appropriated from the tourism enterprise fund to the Tourism Department “for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the department.”  It is unclear if the fund is intended to be used for other costs, such as advertising and promotion, or if personal services and employee benefits can be paid with fund dollars.

 

It should also be noted on page 1, line 13, the bill states, “MAKING AN APPROPRIATION,” when the bill does not appropriate any money to the tourism enterprise fund.

 

KBC/yr