Risky bills that would fundamentally affect the way counties use the Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds have been introduced this Session. HB1429 sponsored by Representative Bryan Avila (111 – Hialeah) and SB2008 sponsored by Senator Manny Diaz (36 – Hialeah Gardens) are companion bills. 

The Senate Bill has three committees of reference and has not been considered yet.

The House Bill unanimously passed the Environment, Agriculture & Flooding Subcommittee last Monday. HB 1429 is on the agenda for the House Ways & Means Committee TODAY, Monday, March 22 at 12:30pm.

The bill makes two fundamental changes to the Tourist Development Tax:

1. Adds “flood mitigation projects and improvements” as permissible uses of the TDT. In effect, it allows county governments to siphon funds collected through the TDT in your county intended for tourism promotion and use them for “flood mitigation.”
2. Requires that TDT Taxes and Convention Development Taxes (CDT – applies to Duval, Miami-Dade and Volusia Counties) be reauthorized by public referendum every five years.
   
   

*** CALL TO ACTION ***

Please contact YOUR REPRESENTAIVE and members of the House Ways and Means Committee . Tell them how the Tourist Development Tax in your county help market your county destination and attraction. Share how you depend on the efforts of your Tourist Development Committee and CVB to bring visitors to your county, increasing your county’s tax base and generating additional TDT funds.

As our industry begins to rebound from the ravages of the pandemic, this bill imperils our ability to recover. Elected officials need to support our economic recovery, not disrupt it. Here is where we need your help!

Please email all of the members of the House Ways and Means Committee and ask them to VOTE NO on HB 1429.

Download Committee Database Here. 

Thank you for all you do for the FAA and our collective industry. Keep advocating for the protection of Florida tourism!