(a) The commissioner, acting through the tourism division, shall, in accordance with the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the state publications committee:

(1) Collect, compile and distribute literature as to the facilities, advantages and attractions of the state, the historic, recreational and scenic points and places of interest within the state and the transportation and highway facilities of the state;

(2) Plan and conduct a program of information and publicity designed to attract to the state tourists, visitors and other interested persons from outside the state, and also encourage and coordinate the efforts of other public and private organizations or groups of citizens to publicize the facilities and attractions of the state for the same purposes;

(3) Publicize the material and economic advantages of the state that render it a desirable place for business and residence; and

(4) Carry on such educational programs as are necessary to familiarize the people of the state with the scenic, historical, industrial, recreational and agricultural advantages or needs of the state.

(b) To carry out the purpose and intent of this section and §§ 4-3-2204, 4-3-2207, and 4-3-2208, the commissioner is authorized and empowered to:

(1) Form contracts with agencies of any type or wherever situated, that will tend to promote the objectives of advertising Tennessee to nonresidents;

(2) Gather and compile, in accordance with the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the state publications committee, information from branches of the state government and others, that will promote authentic information for advertising purposes;

(3) Enter into cooperative agreements and contracts with such individuals, partnerships, corporations public or private, associations, societies, educational institutions, chambers of commerce, automobile associations, and other organized groups as may be deemed advantageous and proper by the commissioner to effectuate the intent and purpose of this section and §§ 4-3-2204, 4-3-2207, and 4-3-2208; provided, that an authenticated copy of all such contracts shall be filed with the comptroller of the treasury and shall be approved by the attorney general and reporter;

(4) Accept unconditional gifts of money to be expended in furtherance of the purposes of this section and §§ 4-3-2204, 4-3-2207, and 4-3-2208;

(5) Within the limits of available funds, match any moneys advanced for the purposes of this section and §§ 4-3-2204, 4-3-2207, and 4-3-2208, by the federal government, or by any state, county, municipality, corporation, association, society, development district, regional council, association of local governments or individual; and

(6) Within the limits of available funds, enter into such cooperative agreements or contracts with any instrumentality of the federal government, municipal or county government of Tennessee, or any other state or group of states that, in the judgment of the commissioner, will effectuate the purposes of this section and §§ 4-3-2204, 4-3-2207, and 4-3-2208.