WEST virginia legislature

2020 regular session

Committee Substitute

for

Senate Bill 829

Senator Maynard, original sponsor

[Originating in the Committee on Finance; reported on February 24, 2020]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5B-2I-9, relating to establishing the Overland Recreation Fund as a special fund; specifying the purposes for which the fund may be used; and defining terms.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

Article 2I.  Overland RecreaTion Fund.

§5B-2I-9. Establishment of Overland Recreation Fund.

(a) Creation of Fund. — There is created in the State Treasury a special revenue fund known as the Overland Recreation Fund. The fund shall be comprised of any moneys granted by charitable foundations, allocated by the Legislature, allocated from federal agencies, all income from the investment of money held in the fund, and all other moneys designated for deposit to the fund from any source, public or private. The fund shall operate as a special revenue fund and all deposits and payments into the fund do not expire to the General Revenue Fund but shall remain in the account and be available for expenditure in succeeding fiscal years.

(b) Definitions. —

(1) “Fund” means the Overland Recreation Fund.

(2) “Overland recreation” means the combination of camping and off-roading, connecting elements of each to form a distinct automotive and/or outdoor recreational experience.

(3) “Overlanding” means vehicle-based, self-reliant travel over an extended period of time, during which the traveler experiences differing terrains, and the experience, adventure, and enjoyment of the journey itself are the goals of the traveler.

(4) “Direct advertising” means advertising which includes, but is not limited to, television, radio, mailings, newspaper, magazines, digital marketing, including the Internet and social media, and outdoor billboards or any combination thereof.

(c) Purpose. — The sole purpose of the fund is for marketing, direct advertising, business development, and public relations promoting overland recreation within the state and the state’s image, and brand identity at the discretion and direction of the Executive Director of the West Virginia Office of Tourism.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to establish the Overland Recreation Fund.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.