(1) The Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism may lease existing buildings and facilities for operation as tourist information bureaus at or near the major highway points of entry into this state and may pay the necessary cost of maintenance, upkeep, and operation of the leased buildings and facilities.
(2) If it becomes necessary for the department to cease to operate any tourist information bureau in the state as a result of the shortage of funds, the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission shall lease the tourist information bureau facility to a municipality or county in which the tourist information bureau is located or to a nonprofit organization approved by the commission for an annual lease payment of ten dollars ($10.00) per year to be operated by the lessee in a manner approved by the commission.