What If Your County’s TDC Was Dissolved and Bed Tax Dollars Were Redirected?
That’s exactly what nearly happened during the 2025 Florida Legislative Session.
HB 1221, introduced by the Florida House of Representatives and passed by a 65–42 vote, proposed sweeping changes to the way Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds are used. If enacted, the bill would have:
- Redirected 75% of TDT revenue to offset property taxes—effectively eliminating funding for tourism promotion, marketing, and tourism-related facilities.
- Dissolved every Tourist Development Council (TDC) in Florida by the end of 2025.
- Required a public referendum every eight years to continue levying the TDT for the sole purpose of a property tax discount.
Fortunately, the Florida Senate rejected this damaging proposal and protected the integrity of Florida’s tourism economy.
Now, as we look ahead to the 2026 Legislative Session—with interim committee weeks beginning October 6, 2025—this is the perfect time to engage with your State Representative.
- If your Representative voted NO on HB 1221, consider sending a note of thanks for supporting Florida’s tourism marketing efforts.
- If your Representative voted YES on HB 1221, now is a critical time to respectfully express your concerns and help them understand the value of investing in tourism.
[Click here to view the YEAS and NAYS for the HB 1221 floor vote] (note Yea and Nay tabs)
[Find your State Representative here]
To make it easy, the FAA’s lobby team at Liberty Partners of Tallahassee has prepared two customizable letter templates:
Please keep messages to those who voted “Yes” constructive and professional—we want to build support to protect TDT in the 2026 Session.
If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. If you receive a reply from your Representative, please forward it to me—it will help shape our strategy for the year ahead.
Thank you for taking action to protect Florida’s #1 economic engine—tourism!
Warm regards,
Bill
