2017 Senate Bill 705 / 2018 Public Act 466

Create structure for state tourism marketing subsidies

Introduced in the Senate

Dec. 5, 2017

Introduced by Sen. Wayne Schmidt (R-37)

To amend and potentially expand a law that authorizes private convention and tourism bureaus in various regions to impose a hotel and motel room tax to support tourism marketing programs. The bill would require an existing state Travel Bureau and state Travel Commission, along with the director of the state agency that operates subsidy programs for business owners and developers (the Michigan Economic Development Corporation), to create a “comprehensive, long-range master plan” and annual marketing plans for this. <br>The bill also includes a legislative “finding” that “the expansion of the tourism industry is vital to the growth of this state's economy” and that the state “can best undertake effective tourism marketing through the coordinated efforts of existing state government agencies in tourism promotion and private convention and tourism promotional bureaus.”<br>This bill is part of package comprised of Senate Bills 703 to 707 that insert these same provisions into different laws that authorize private bureaus to impose a room tax on lodging facilities.

Referred to the Committee on Commerce

Jan. 18, 2018

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Sept. 26, 2018

Passed in the Senate 28 to 8 (details)

Received in the House

Sept. 27, 2018

Referred to the Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

Nov. 28, 2018

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Dec. 20, 2018

Passed in the House 95 to 13 (details)

To amend and potentially expand a law that authorizes private convention and tourism bureaus in various regions to impose a hotel and motel room tax to support tourism marketing programs. The bill would require an existing state Travel Bureau and state Travel Commission, along with the director of the state agency that operates subsidy programs for business owners and developers (the Michigan Economic Development Corporation), to create a “comprehensive, long-range master plan” and annual marketing plans for this. <br>The bill also includes a legislative “finding” that “the expansion of the tourism industry is vital to the growth of this state's economy” and that the state “can best undertake effective tourism marketing through the coordinated efforts of existing state government agencies in tourism promotion and private convention and tourism promotional bureaus.”<br>This bill is part of package comprised of Senate Bills 703 to 707 that insert these same provisions into different laws that authorize private bureaus to impose a room tax on lodging facilities.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 26, 2018