HCS SCS SB 1210 -- TAXES FOR PROMOTION OF TOURISM

SPONSOR:  Johnson (Lawson)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Tourism, Recreation and Cultural Affairs by a vote of 16 to 0.

This substitute permits a transient guest tax to be levied on
hotel room charges in the City of St. Joseph and in the
unincorporated portion of Buchanan County.  The tax must be
approved by the voters of the jurisdiction and must be between 2%
and 8%.  The revenue raised must be used to fund tourism and
convention facilities.

The substitute also increases the allowable hotel tax in Kansas
City from 6.5% to 7.5% and the allowable restaurant tax in Kansas
City from 1.75% to 2%.  The proceeds of these taxes will be used
for the advertising and promotion of convention and tourism
business and international trade.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Effect to General Revenue Fund of a
Cost of $0 or $60,215 to an Income of Unknown in FY 2003, a Cost
of $0 or $31,883 to an Income of Unknown in FY 2004, and a Cost
of $0 to $32,692 to an Income of Unknown in FY 2005.  Department
of Revenue officials assume this proposal as written would not
allow the Director of Revenue to refuse to collect the tax.
Therefore, cost is shown provided voters would approve a tourism
guest tax, and the city or county wanted the department to
collect the tax.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that these taxes will help support
and attract tourism in these areas.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Lawson; St. Joseph
Area Legislative Coalition; and City of Kansas City.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Robert Triplett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:04 am