Bill Text: IN SR0106 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Study committee on increasing Indiana's tourism marketing budget.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2013-04-26 - First reading: adopted voice vote [SR0106 Detail]

Download: Indiana-2013-SR0106-Introduced.html

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Introduced Version

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SENATE RESOLUTION No. ___

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DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION

     A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the Legislative Council to assign the topic of increasing Indiana's tourism marketing budget to an appropriate study committee.

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YOUNG R

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     , read first time and referred to Committee on

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Introduced

First Regular Session 118th General Assembly (2013)

SENATE RESOLUTION

     MADAM PRESIDENT:

    I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:

    A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the Legislative Council to assign the topic of increasing Indiana's tourism marketing budget to an appropriate study committee.

    Whereas, The study committee will research how other states are funding their tourism marketing campaigns, determine the success of these campaigns, and conclude if Indiana could benefit from implementing similar strategies;

    Whereas, Economic studies have shown that for every dollar invested in promoting Indiana, visitors will spend $38 and the state would make $1.90 in sales tax revenue;

    Whereas, The current budget allots $1.7 million after a $500,000 grant to the Sports Corporation. Current legislation would cut this total to $700,000. The Senate has expressed interest in a $1.2 million matching grant program with $500,000 dedicated to a joint marketing effort with the Association of Indiana Convention and Visitor's Bureaus;

    Whereas, Surrounding states invest at least $10 million annually towards tourism. The average for these states is $17.9 million annually;

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    Whereas, Prior to the recession, Indiana had a promotions budget of $5 million. Since the recession, surrounding states have all increased their tourism marketing budgets, while Indiana has been the only one to decrease their budget;

    Whereas, Previous legislation has been attempted to increase Indiana's tourism budget to $9 million. If this attempt had been successful, it would have generated $14 million in profit for the state; and

    Whereas, Increasing the budget would keep Indiana competitive with surrounding states, boost the state's economy, create jobs, and increase tax revenue: Therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the

General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

    SECTION 1. The Legislative Council is urged to assign to an appropriate study committee the topic of increasing Indiana's tourism marketing budget.