Raised Bill No. 133 Summary

• Establishes three regional tourism districts in Connecticut (eastern, central, and western) to promote and market their respective areas as leisure and business travel destinations to stimulate economic growth.

• Each district shall be governed by a board of directors with one representative from each municipality, appointed by the municipal legislative body or board of selectmen for three-year terms, plus up to 21 additional members representing tourism interests.

• Districts must comply with uniform accounting and reporting standards established by the Department of Economic and Community Development and submit independent audits to the department, Office of Policy and Management, and Office of Fiscal Analysis by January 1 each year.

• Requires each regional tourism district to return any unexpended funds to the Department of Economic and Community Development at the end of each fiscal year, starting with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, with such funds used for state-wide marketing.

• Eliminates the requirement that the central regional district office be located within the department and authorizes districts to establish matching grant programs for tourism businesses, destinations, and not-for-profit arts and culture organizations.