Tourist Development, Dept. of - As enacted, requires the department to annually confirm the nonprofit, membership-based organizations or tax-exempt public agencies to act as regional tourism organizations for each of the nine development districts; requires department approval of regional tourism organization's planned marketing initiatives prior to the organization receiving matching state funds; provides definitions related to tourism. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 22.

HB 1628 requires Tennessee's Department of Tourist Development to annually confirm nonprofit or tax-exempt organizations as official regional tourism groups for each of the state's nine development districts. It mandates department approval of marketing plans before these groups can receive state matching funds, and requires organizations to prove they represent all counties in their district through mayoral letters, tourism group endorsements, or membership records. The bill establishes a 2:1 state funding match (with a $35,000 minimum annual award) for confirmed organizations that meet these requirements. These changes directly affect tourism groups seeking state funding by adding administrative steps to the confirmation and funding process.