by Linda Straker
- Amended GTA legislation among 3 pieces to be debated by Lower House on 17 June sitting
- Amendment specific to Sections 38 and 39
- Legislation states that funding could also come from all amounts collected under authority of regulations made under GTA Act
The Government of Grenada is amending the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) legislation for the sole purpose of empowering the authority to collect fees that are required or prescribed under other legislations, but are designated for the authority.
The amended bill is among 3 pieces of legislation that will be debated by Members of the Lower House on the 17 June sitting. The amendment is specific to Sections 38 and 39 by inserting the words “Without prejudice to subsection (1), the Authority may collect fees as prescribed under any other enactment or authorised under any other legally binding arrangement, for collection by the Authority.”
Subtitled Fees, section 38 states “The Authority may charge such fees as are prescribed by order made by the Minister responsible for Finance for the issue or renewal of licences; and for any service performed by it.”
By inserting the new sentence in the legislation, it means that the authority will be able to collect fees for other entities once the minister approves it to be used for the operations of the authority. Section 39, subtitled “Fund and resources of the Authority” provides guidelines as to the sources of funds and resources of the authority.
The authority funds should be allocations voted for by Parliament; subject to the approval of the Minister responsible for Finance, any special tax imposed for the tourism sector and all amounts payable to the authority in respect of advertisement or any other service performed by the authority.
The legislation states that funding could also come from all amounts collected under the authority of regulations made under Grenada Tourism Authority Act; amounts borrowed by the authority for the purpose of meeting or discharging any of its obligations, and all other amounts or property which may in any manner become payable to or vested in the authority in respect of any matter incidental to its powers and functions.
The legislation also states that funds should be “All monies of the Authority, including monies raised on loan or grants received for the purposes of this Act shall be paid into an account in the name of the Authority in accordance with the directions of the Board.”
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