Senate Bill 2573 - Mississippi Tourism Reorganization Act

• Creates a new Mississippi Department of Tourism effective July 1, 2025, transferring all powers, duties, property, and personnel from the Tourism Division of the Mississippi Development Authority.

• Authorizes the Governor to appoint an executive director of the Department of Tourism with Senate approval, responsible for tourism promotion, development, and support services including branding, marketing, and destination development across five regional tourism areas.

• Establishes a Department of Tourism Advertising Fund to receive revenue from tourism advertising sales and diverts three percent of monthly sales tax revenue from restaurants and hotels (previously directed to the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Fund).

• Creates a Mississippi Tourism Association Marketing Advisory Board composed of tourism association members and appointees from the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House to provide input on marketing and advertising planning.

• Repeals five existing code sections transferring tourism functions from the Mississippi Development Authority and consolidates tourism grant programs and advertising authority under the new department.