22 USC 2124c - Rural Tourism Development Foundation

U.S Code last checked for updates: Apr 28, 2024

§ 2124c.

Rural Tourism Development Foundation

(a)

Establishment of Foundation

(b)

Functions

The functions of the Foundation shall be the planning, development, and implementation of projects and programs which have the potential to increase travel and tourism export revenues by attracting foreign visitors to rural America. Initially, such projects and programs shall include—

(1)

participation in the development and distribution of educational and promotional materials pertaining to both private and public attractions located in rural areas of the United States, including Federal parks and recreational lands, which can be used by foreign visitors;

(2)

development of educational resources to assist in private and public rural tourism development; and

(3)

participation in Federal agency outreach efforts to make such resources available to private enterprises, State and local governments, and other persons and entities interested in rural tourism development.

(c)

Board of Directors

(1)

Composition

(A)

The Foundation shall have a Board of Directors (hereafter in this section referred to as the “Board”) that—

(i)

during its first two years shall consist of nine voting members; and

(ii)

thereafter shall consist of those nine members plus up to six additional voting members as determined in accordance with the bylaws of the Foundation.

(B)

(i)

The Secretary of Commerce shall, within six months after September 30, 1992, appoint the initial nine voting members of the Board and thereafter shall appoint the successors of each of three such members, as provided by such bylaws.

(ii)

The voting members of the Board, other than those referred to in clause (i), shall be appointed in accordance with procedures established by such bylaws.

(C)

The voting members of the Board shall be individuals who are not Federal officers or employees and who have demonstrated an interest in rural tourism development. Of such voting members, at least a majority shall have experience and expertise in tourism trade promotion, at least one shall have experience and expertise in resource conservation, at least one shall have experience and expertise in financial administration in a fiduciary capacity, at least one shall be a representative of an Indian tribe who has experience and expertise in rural tourism on an Indian reservation, at least one shall represent a regional or national organization or association with a major interest in rural tourism development or promotion, and at least one shall be a representative of a State who is responsible for tourism promotion.

(D)

Voting members of the Board shall each serve a term of six years, except that—

(i)

initial terms shall be staggered to assure continuity of administration;

(ii)

if a person is appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term of the person’s predecessor, that person shall serve only for the remainder of the predecessor’s term; and

(iii)

any such appointment to fill a vacancy shall be made within sixty days after the vacancy occurs.

(2)

Ex-officio members

(3)

Chair

(4)

Meetings

(d)

Compensation and expenses

(e)

Acceptance of gifts, devises, and bequests

(1)

In general

(2)

Indians

(f)

Investments

(g)

Perpetual succession; liability of Board members

(h)

Contractual power

(i)

Administration

(1)

In general

(2)

Services

(3)

Construction

(j)

Exemption from taxes; contributions

(k)

Liability of United States

(l)

Annual report

(m)

Definitions

As used in this section—

(1)

the term “Indian reservation” has the meaning given the term “reservation” in section 1452(d) of title 25;

(2)

the term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given that term in section 5304(e) of title 25;

(3)

the term “local government” has the meaning given that term in section 3371(2) of title 5; and

(4)

the term “rural tourism” has the meaning given that term by the Secretary of Commerce and shall include activities related to travel and tourism that occur on Federal recreational sites, on Indian reservations, and in the territories, possessions, and commonwealths of the United States.

(Pub. L. 102–372, § 4, Sept. 30, 1992, 106 Stat. 1171; Pub. L. 104–288, § 9(b), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3407.)

cite as: 22 USC 2124c