State Rep. Susan Williams Gifford (R-Wareham) has been appointed to a  special commission charged with studying the distribution of money from the Massachusetts Tourism Fund.

Gifford will join fellow legislators, as well as appointees of the governor, in reviewing and evaluating the Mass. Office of Travel and Tourism's current funding formula. The group will also help determine if any revisions are necessary for achieving a fair funding formula.

“The questions on who gets tourism funding and how much have lingered for years," said Gifford. "I’m looking forward to getting those answers and making sure the funding formula is appropriate.”

The Commission will be responsible for submitting their findings to the House and Senate Clerks, the Joint Committees on Higher Education and Ways and Means, and the Joint Committees on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development by no later than May 1, 2014.

“Representative Gifford is well versed in the Commonwealth’s booming tourism industry as her district, the 2nd Plymouth, is comprised of dynamic communities which consistently attract a large amount of tourists,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr., who appointed Gifford to the commission. “I am extremely confident that Susan will bring a wealth of real-world knowledge and invaluable expertise to this Commission.”

Need to talk to the state representative? Gifford will host office hours on Friday, August 23, in all three towns of the Second Plymouth District.

Residents will be able to meet with Gifford or her legislative aide, one-on-one.

Office hours will be held at Middleborough Town Hall from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., at Carver Town Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and at Gifford's district office, located at 191 Main Street, suite 213F, in Wareham, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Meetings can also be scheduled by appointment. For more information, call Gifford's Boston office at 617-722-2976, her district office at 508-295-5999, or e-mail Susan.Gifford@mahouse.gov.