As used in this chapter:

(1)  “Activity” means any programs or services provided for the purpose of conferring specific benefits upon the businesses that are located in the tourism improvement district and to which an assessment is charged.

(2)  “Assessment” means a levy for the purpose of providing activities and improvements that will provide benefits to businesses located within a tourism improvement district that are subject to the tourism improvement district assessment. Assessments may be based on a percent of gross business revenue, a fixed dollar amount per transaction, or any other reasonable method based upon benefit, and approved by the municipality.

(3)  “Authorizing resolution” means a resolution adopted by the municipality that authorizes the formation or renewal of a tourism improvement district and the levying of assessments.

(4)  “Business” means any business establishment of the type or class that is described in the tourism improvement district plan and the authorizing resolution.

(5)  “Business owner” means any person recognized by the municipality as the owner of the business. The municipality has no obligation to obtain other information as to the ownership of businesses, and its determination of ownership shall be final and conclusive for the purposes of this chapter. Wherever this chapter requires the signature of the business owner, the signature of the authorized representative of the business owner shall be sufficient.

(6)  “Improvement” means an acquisition, construction, installation, or maintenance relating to tangible property, with an estimated useful life of five (5) years or more that is designed to provide benefits to assessed businesses.

(7)  “Lead municipality” means the municipality in which the tourism improvement district plan is filed for the establishment of a tourism improvement district where such district includes more than one municipality.

(8)  “Municipality” means any city or town in the state of Rhode Island.

(9)  “Owners’ association” means a new or existing nonprofit corporation charged with promoting tourism within the area of the tourism improvement district that is under contract with the municipality to administer the tourism improvement district and implement activities and improvements specified in the tourism improvement district plan.

(10)  “Tourism improvement district” means a tourism improvement district established pursuant to this chapter.

(11)  “Tourism improvement district plan” means a plan as prescribed in § 45-59.1-5.