Tourist Development, Dept. of - As enacted, creates a marketing division within the department to replace the tourism division; authorizes the department to enter into agreements with the department of transportation to assist with maintenance of welcome center facilities; creates a welcome centers division within the department to oversee such centers throughout the state; directs the commissioner of finance and administration to transfer from highway user taxes allocated to the highway fund an amount sufficient to support the annual appropriation for implementation and administration of all welcome centers in the state. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 22.

SB 1306 reorganizes Tennessee's tourism department by creating a new marketing division to promote tourism investment and attractions, and a dedicated welcome centers division to manage state welcome centers. The bill requires the Department of Tourist Development to oversee welcome centers, including staffing, maintenance, and promoting Tennessee's heritage through materials like maps and guides. It directs the commissioner of finance to redirect highway user tax funds to cover the annual costs of operating all welcome centers statewide. These changes streamline tourism administration, shift funding sources, and clarify responsibilities for welcoming visitors at state facilities.