Legislation to bump the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau from six to nine members passed the state Senate Monday, clearing the bill for final approval from Gov. Haley Barbour.
Besides its board, House Bill 1552 also expands the scope of the CVB, said state Rep. Gary Chism, R-Columbus. The legislation makes clear that the CVB can support community events like Columbus Mayor Robert Smith”s unity picnic.
The bill also includes a subsection that allows the CVB to contribute up to 15 percent of the local tourism tax to the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link.
If the bill is signed into law, the city and county will each make another appointment to the board, and Smith and county Board of Supervisors President Harry Sanders will jointly appoint the ninth member.
Chairwoman Whirllie Byrd, DeWitt Hicks Jr. and Nadia Dale currently represent the city on the board. Vice Chairman George Swales, Treasurer Bart Wise and developer Mark Castleberry represent the county.
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