Committee reports bill allowing Department of Tourism to use outside vendors for museum food services

A Senate committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment and voted to report House Bill 3389 to the full Senate. The bill exempts the Department of Tourism from a statutory requirement that the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation operate food-service facilities, a change that tourism officials say will let the department use outside vendors and seek private investment at museum properties.

Chelsea Ruby, Secretary of Tourism, told the committee that when Tourism became a separate department a few years ago the statutory exclusion for food-service operations was not transferred. "We're already looking for ways to start bringing in additional revenue through food service and gift shops," Ruby said, explaining that Tourism expects to operate a number of museum properties and hopes to engage vendors that handle higher volumes and to explore revenue-sharing arrangements.

Committee Counsel said the bill is largely cleanup language and that the change does not conflict with earlier cited statutes. Counsel said food and vending services, including tobacco-vending references in the statute, are the primary areas affected. The committee adopted the strike-and-insert by voice vote and reported the bill with a recommendation that it pass as amended. Ruby told the committee the Division of Rehabilitative Services had no objections when contacted.

Committee members asked about revenue expectations and whether the short title could be amended; counsel said the clerk's office must handle short-title changes for a House bill. The committee adopted the amendment and moved the bill to the full Senate.