Department of Tourism; create.

SB 2016 creates the Mississippi Department of Tourism to centralize and streamline tourism promotion and development across the state. It transfers all tourism-related powers, duties, and staff from the Mississippi Development Authority to this new department by July 1, 2026, and diverts a portion of hotel and restaurant sales tax revenue into a dedicated tourism advertising fund (previously allocated to the Development Authority). The bill establishes an appointed Executive Director, authorizes the department to develop regional tourism strategies, coordinate with local tourism groups, and manage advertising through the new fund, while repealing six existing tourism statutes. This reorganization directly affects Mississippi’s tourism industry, state agencies managing tourism programs, and local tourism entities receiving state funding.