LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have advanced a measure that would create a state tourism commission.

Lawmakers voted 31-1 Tuesday to give the bill first-round approval.

The proposal by Ellsworth Sen. LeRoy Louden seeks to enhance tourism in Nebraska, with a commission that would brainstorm ways to promote the state. Tourism is Nebraska’s third-largest industry.

The bill would establish the commission in place of Nebraska’s Travel and Tourism Division, which is part of the state Department of Economic Development. Louden says the new commission would be more independent, and could work more directly with Nebraska’s tourism industry.

The commission would be required to develop a statewide plan to attract tourists.