Maine § 13090-C. - Tourism

§ 13090-C.. Tourism

1.  Tourism; establishment.  The Office of Tourism shall administer a program to support and expand the tourism industry and promote the State as a tourist destination. The Director of the Office of Tourism shall administer the office in accordance with the policies of the commissioner and the provisions of this article. The office includes the Maine State Film Commission.

2.  Duties.  The Director of the Office of Tourism shall:

A. Implement advertising and promotion programs to market the State's travel industry and to attract on-location filming of movies, advertisements and videos in the State;   [RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]

B. Print, or cause to have printed, alone or in cooperation with other travel promotion agencies and groups, booklets, brochures, pamphlets and other materials as required to fulfill requests for information on the State's travel products and the State's facilities, sites and services for the filming of movies and videos in the State;   [RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]

C. Encourage the development of travel product facilities and activities by locating potential developers, providing market and feasibility analysis, assisting developers in complying with applicable laws and rules and providing technical assistance to local decision making, including decisions regarding site selection, financing and utilities;   [RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]

D. Review and comment upon the policies and programs of state agencies that directly affect the achievement of the duties and responsibilities of the office;   [RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]

E. Provide basic support and discretionary matching grants to local, regional and statewide nonprofit agencies that directly affect the achievement of the duties and responsibilities of the office;   [RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]

F. Staff or cause to be staffed any information center constructed, owned, leased, acquired or operated by the State;   [RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]

G. Employ or engage outside technical or professional consultants or organizations as are necessary or appropriate to assist the office in carrying out its functions;   [RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]

H. Accept fees as the director may designate for the preparation and distribution of books, booklets, brochures, pamphlets, films, photos, maps, exhibits, mailing lists and all similar materials and media advertising. There is established within the office a revolving fund for the use of the office to help offset the preparation and distribution costs of these materials. The office shall retain, without charge, an appropriate number of each publication for complimentary distribution. Income from the sale of publications and other materials charged to the revolving fund is credited to the revolving fund to be used as a continuing carrying account to carry out the purposes of the revolving fund;   [RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]

I. Subject to the approval of the commissioner, adopt, amend and repeal rules to carry out the purposes of this section; and   [RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]

J. Undertake other activities that the commissioner considers appropriate and necessary to ensure the successful implementation of this section.   [RR 1995, c. 2, §11 (RAL).]