On January 18, 2024, Associate Policy Director Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 14- Economic Development- Tourism Zones- Designation and Benefits. This bill authorizes municipalities to designate tourism zones.
This bill allows municipalities to establish tourism zones, exempts the gross receipts from any admissions or amusement charge levied by a qualifying tourism enterprise in a tourism zone from admissions and amusement taxes, and grants property tax credits against municipal real and personal property taxes to qualifying tourism enterprises located in a tourism zone.
Tourism is a key driver of economic development for all local governments, whether they be urban, rural, counties, or municipalities. Programs that serve to further this growing industry not only benefit host communities, but also have positive spillover effects in neighboring jurisdictions.
SB 14’s cross-file, HB 1281, was heard on February 29, 2024 in the House Ways and Means Committee. Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony in support of this bill.
SB 14 was heard in the opposite chamber, the House Ways and Means Committee, on March 28. MACo submitted testimony in support.
- Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2024 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database
- Learn more about MACo’s 2024 Legislative Initiatives
- Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog
