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Committee recommends extending Board of Tourism Development's sunset, cites marketing fund results
Summary
The committee voted to favorably recommend SB 12 to extend the Board of Tourism Development's sunset; sponsor and tourism officials said the Tourism Marketing Performance Fund and motion-picture incentives led to measurable traveler‑spending results over the last five years.
A House committee recommended SB 12, a bill to extend the sunset for the Board of Tourism Development and make technical updates to the board's duties.
Senator Plumb, speaking as sponsor, described the board's role in advising the Utah Office of Tourism on out‑of‑state marketing, cooperative programs, and allocation of motion‑picture incentive funds. Natalie Randall, managing director for the Utah Office of Tourism and Film Commission, explained that the Tourism Marketing Performance Fund (TMPF) and related campaigns have generated substantial traveler spending and tax revenue in recent years; the sponsor also cited that the motion‑picture incentive approvals to date are estimated to create meaningful economic impacts.
Representative Shelley asked whether the committee would consider a shorter sunset given the upcoming Olympics and related tourism budget pressures; the sponsor said the bill came out of committee with the five‑year extension and she preferred to leave the committee recommendation unchanged. The sponsor and the tourism official also confirmed the bill carries a $0 fiscal note: the measure extends authority for the board but does not appropriate new funds.
Representative Shallenberger moved to recommend SB 12 favorably; the committee voted unanimously and then added the bill to the consent calendar for the House.
Votes at a glance: SB 12 — motion to favorably recommend to the full House and add to consent calendar (mover: Representative Shallenberger); committee approved unanimously.
