22^nd Alaska State Legislature
News from Representative Jim Whitaker

Session: State Capitol, Room 411 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Toll Free: (877) 465-3004 Phone: (907) 465-3004 Fax: (907) 465-2070 Interim: 119 North Cushman Street, Room 213 Fairbanks, AK 99701-2879 Phone: (907) 452-1088 Fax: (907) 452-1146

House Bill Could Boost Tourism Marketing
Whitaker's HB 24 Resolves Borough-City Tax Authority Conflict

(JUNEAU) -- Raising revenue for tourism marketing will be easier for some boroughs and cities under a law sponsored by Rep. Jim Whitaker (R-Fairbanks) that passed the House unanimously today.

"Since the 1970s, the visitor industry in Alaska communities has relied on local destination marketing organizations to compete in an increasingly competitive worldwide marketplace," said Whitaker.

"But if a first-class city exists within the boundaries of a second-class borough, then both cannot exercise area-wide economic development powers ? specifically, a tourism marketing effort cannot be undertaken by both, which doesn't make a lot of sense," he said. "If both want to be able to contribute, they should both be able to contribute."

HB 24 makes it possible for both governmental entities in such a situation to contribute a sales tax on hotel rooms, or "bed tax," to tourism marketing efforts, he said.

HB 24 moves next to the Senate for consideration.

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Attachments:

• Sponsor Statement for HB 24
  
• Print Friendly Version
  requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - 1 page(s) - 100 K

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