2005 California Government Code Sections 13995.150-13995.155 CHAPTER 1.5. CALIFORNIA WELCOME CENTERS

13995.150.  The Legislature finds and declares that a statewide
network of visitor information centers, to be known as California
Welcome Centers, that are readily accessible to and recognizable by
tourists, would encourage tourism in California and provide benefits
to the state economy.
13995.151.  For the purpose of establishing and enhancing a
statewide network of California Welcome Centers, the Office of
Tourism shall perform the following functions and activities:
   (a) Designate a statewide network of California Welcome Centers to
be operated by one or more entities that include, but are not
limited to, convention centers and visitor bureaus, chambers of
commerce, local governments, state government, federal government, or
private entities.  The Office of Tourism may designate California
Welcome Centers through the solicitation of offers to negotiate or
proposals from interested entities.  Only an entity that applies for
designation as a California Welcome Center may be so designated by
the Office of Tourism.  Criteria for designation shall include, but
not be limited to, accessibility, proximity to tourist attractions,
size, appearance, and maintenance.  The Office of Tourism may limit
the number of designated California Welcome Centers within any
geographic area of the state if necessary to prevent an excessive
density of centers.
   (b) Establish requirements for the operation of a designated
California Welcome Center.  These requirements shall be included in
the written agreement with the operating entity and shall require, at
a minimum, that the entity operate at hours convenient to visitors
and display visitor information produced by government entities at no
cost to those entities.  The requirements may vary according to
local conditions and needs.  An agreement between the state and the
operating entity pursuant to this section shall not be construed as
an agreement for the provision of services to the state, or by the
state.  Nothing in this subdivision shall preclude a California
Welcome Center from displaying visitor information produced by a
tourism-related trade association or any other appropriate entity.
   (c) Designate a logo for California Welcome Centers.  The words
"California Welcome Center" and the name of the location of the
center, as designated by the Office of Tourism, shall be displayed
prominently on the exterior of any California Welcome Center.
   (d) Consult with the Department of Transportation in the design
and placement of California Welcome Center highway signs to ensure
that the design and placement of the highway signs are reasonably
consistent with state and federal standards.
   (e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), prior to the costs
being incurred, collect fees from any entity operating a California
Welcome Center in an amount sufficient to  cover the costs incurred
by the state in administering this section.  However, the Department
of Transportation may charge centers directly for its initial and
ongoing costs and fees related to highway sign production,
construction, maintenance, and permitting, pursuant to Section
13995.152.
   (2) Fees collected by the Office of Tourism pursuant to paragraph
(1) shall be deposited in the Welcome Center Fund, which is hereby
established in the State Treasury, to be available, upon
appropriation by the Legislature, to the office to cover its costs in
implementing this chapter.
   (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the office may, for the first
90 days after the effective date of this chapter, incur costs in
administering its provisions prior to the collection of fees as
described in paragraph (1). These costs shall be reimbursed by the
appropriation of funds from the Welcome Center Fund.
13995.152.  The Department of Transportation shall, to the maximum
extent feasible, install and maintain California Welcome Center
highway signs when requested by the Office of Tourism.
13995.153.  Costs associated with the ongoing maintenance and
operation of centers shall be borne by the entity operating a
California Welcome Center.
13995.154.  Every entity of state government shall cooperate with
the Office of Tourism to further the provisions of this chapter.
13995.155.  If the Office of Tourism drafts regulations to implement
this chapter, the office shall submit the regulations to the
California Tourism Commission for the commission's review prior to
the adoption of the regulations.