Creating the Iowa tourism advertising fund, and making appropriations

This bill creates the Iowa tourism advertising fund (fund), in the state treasury under the control of the economic development authority (authority). The authority’s board members (board) will oversee and administer the fund. Moneys in the fund are appropriated to the authority for purposes of promoting tourism in Iowa through advertising in this state, other states, and internationally, or to partner with or to provide grants to eligible applicants to promote Iowa tourism through advertising. The bill specifies applications for grants from the fund are to be submitted to the authority. The bill specifies the board makes the final funding decisions on each application and may approve, deny, defer, or modify applications for grants, including partnering with applicants.3, a tax of percent is imposed upon the sales price for the renting of lodging located in this state.25 percent of this state-imposed hotel and motel tax to the fund created in the bill.