SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6640

BYSenator McMullen

Expanding the use of hotel-motel tax revenues to develop tourism strategies.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 1, 1990; February 2, 1990

Majority Report:     Do pass.

     Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; McMullen, Matson, Murray, Smitherman, West, Williams.

Senate Staff:Patrick Woods (786-7430)

                February 13, 1990

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 12, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Currently cities and counties may use their hotel-motel taxes for a specific series of activities including construction and maintenance of stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, and visual art centers.  They may also be used for the payment of general obligation bonds and revenue bonds and distributing information to encourage tourism expansion.  In addition, hotel-motel taxes may be used to develop tourism strategies to expand tourism in distressed areas of the state.

SUMMARY:

The use of hotel-motel taxes for the development of tourist strategies is expanded to include nondistressed areas of the state.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    requested

Senate Committee - Testified:   Merv Settle, Mason County Tourism; Becky Bogard