(c) The Lake County convention and visitor bureau shall establish a convention, tourism, and visitor promotion fund (referred to in this chapter as the "promotion fund"). The county treasurer shall transfer to the Lake County convention and visitor bureau for deposit in the promotion fund thirty-five percent (35%) of the first one million two hundred thousand dollars ($1,200,000) of revenue received from the tax imposed under this chapter in each year. The promotion fund consists of:

1. (1) money in the promotion fund on June 30, 2005;
2. (2) revenue deposited in the promotion fund under this subsection after June 30, 2005; and

3. (3) investment income earned on the promotion fund's assets.

   Money in the funds established by the bureau may be expended to promote and encourage conventions, trade shows, special events, recreation, and visitors. Money may be paid from the funds established by the bureau, by claim in the same manner as municipalities may pay claims under IC 5-11-10-1.6 .

(d) This subsection applies to the first one million two hundred thousand dollars ($1,200,000) of revenue received from the tax imposed under this chapter in each year. During each year, the county treasurer shall transfer to Indiana University-Northwest forty-four and thirty-three hundredths percent (44.33%) of the revenue received under this chapter for that year to be used as follows:

1. (1) Seventy-five percent (75%) of the revenue received under this subsection may be used only for the university's medical education programs.
2. (2) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the revenue received under this subsection may be used only for the university's allied health education programs.

(e) This subsection applies to the first one million two hundred thousand dollars ($1,200,000) of revenue received from the tax imposed under this chapter in each year. During each year, the county treasurer shall allocate among the cities and towns throughout the county nine percent (9%) of the revenue received under this chapter for that year as follows:

1. (1) Ten percent (10%) of the revenue covered by this subsection shall be distributed to the city of Gary.
2. (2) Ten percent (10%) of the revenue covered by this subsection shall be distributed to the city of Hammond.
3. (3) Ten percent (10%) of the revenue covered by this subsection shall be distributed to the city of East Chicago.

4. (4) Seventy percent (70%) of the revenue covered by this subsection shall be distributed in equal amounts to each town and each city not receiving a distribution under subdivisions (1) through (3).

   The money distributed under this subsection may be used only for tourism and economic development projects. The county treasurer shall make the distributions on or before December 1 of each year.

(g) This subsection applies to the first one million two hundred thousand dollars ($1,200,000) of revenue received from the tax imposed under this chapter in each year. During each year, the county treasurer shall transfer two and sixty-seven hundredths percent (2.67%) of the revenue received under this chapter for that year to the following cities:

1. (1) Fifty percent (50%) of the revenue covered by this subsection shall be transferred to the city of Gary.

2. (2) Fifty percent (50%) of the revenue covered by this subsection shall be transferred to the city of Hammond.

   Money transferred under this subsection may be used only for convention facilities located within the city. In addition, the money may be used only for facility marketing, sales, capital expenditures, and public relations programs. Money transferred under this subsection may not be used for salaries or facility operating costs related to the convention facilities. The county treasurer shall make the transfers on or before December 1 of each year.

(h) This subsection applies to the revenue received from the tax imposed under this chapter in each year that exceeds one million two hundred thousand dollars ($1,200,000). During each year, the county treasurer shall distribute money in the promotion fund as follows:

1. (1) Eighty-five percent (85%) of the revenue covered by this subsection shall be deposited in the convention, tourism, and visitor promotion fund. The money deposited in the fund under this subdivision may be used only for the purposes for which other money in the fund may be used.
2. (2) Five percent (5%) of the revenue covered by this subsection shall be transferred to Purdue University Northwest. The money received by Purdue University Northwest under this subdivision may be used by the university only for nursing education programs.
3. (3) Five percent (5%) of the revenue covered by this subsection shall be transferred to Indiana University-Northwest. The money received by Indiana University-Northwest under this subdivision may be used only for the university's medical education programs.
4. (4) Five percent (5%) of the revenue covered by this subsection shall be transferred to Indiana University-Northwest. The money received by Indiana University-Northwest under this subdivision may be used only for the university's allied health education programs.

(i) This subsection applies only to the distribution of revenue received from the tax imposed under section 1 of this chapter from hotels, motels, inns, tourist camps, tourist cabins, and other lodgings or accommodations built or refurbished after June 30, 1993, that are located in the city of Gary. During each year, the county treasurer shall transfer:

1. (1) seventy-five percent (75%) of the revenues under this subsection to the department of public safety; and

2. (2) twenty-five percent (25%) of the revenues under this subsection to the division of physical and economic development;

   of the city of Gary.

(j) The Lake County convention and visitor bureau shall assist the county treasurer, as needed, with the calculation of the amounts that must be deposited and transferred under this section.

As added by Acts 1982, P.L.67, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.96-1983, SEC.2; P.L.108-1987, SEC.2; P.L.27-1992, SEC.7; P.L.277-1993(ss), SEC.130; P.L.102-1995, SEC.1; P.L.68-1996, SEC.1; P.L.170-2002, SEC.30; P.L.168-2005, SEC.1; P.L.223-2007, SEC.6; P.L.211-2007, SEC.45; P.L.113-2010, SEC.70; P.L.172-2011, SEC.91; P.L.119-2012, SEC.56; P.L.137-2012, SEC.110; P.L.81-2019, SEC.1; P.L.104-2022, SEC.31; P.L.195-2023, SEC.5.