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SB 1306

Tourist Development, Dept. of - As enacted, creates a marketing division within the department to replace the tourism division; authorizes the department to enter into agreements with the department of transportation to assist with maintenance of welcome center facilities; creates a welcome centers division within the department to oversee such centers throughout the state; directs the commissioner of finance and administration to transfer from highway user taxes allocated to the highway fund an amount sufficient to support the annual appropriation for implementation and administration of all welcome centers in the state. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 22.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Tennessee splits tourism oversight into marketing and welcome centers divisions, redirecting highway taxes to fund statewide welcome center operations and maintenance partnerships.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 523
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Bill Summary · SB 1306

Legislative bill overview

SB 1306 restructures Tennessee's tourism management by creating a marketing division and a separate welcome centers division within the Department of Tourist Development, replacing the existing tourism division. The bill authorizes partnerships with the Department of Transportation for welcome center maintenance and redirects highway user tax funds to support welcome center operations statewide.

Why is this important

Welcome centers serve as crucial first-impression touchpoints for visitors entering Tennessee, affecting tourism revenue and state economic development. The reorganization could improve operational efficiency by separating marketing strategy from facility management, though it involves redirecting transportation funding to support tourism infrastructure.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanism: Transferring highway user tax revenue (traditionally dedicated to road infrastructure) to tourism operations may face opposition from transportation advocates who argue these funds should prioritize road maintenance and safety.
  • Administrative overhead: Creating two separate divisions instead of one consolidated tourism division could increase administrative costs and bureaucratic complexity unless efficiency gains materialize.
  • Scope of transfers: The bill allows "an amount sufficient" to be transferred without specifying exact figures, potentially creating budget uncertainty and disputes between departments over appropriate funding levels.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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