Bill
HB 6493
HB 6493 creates a state-wide registry for short-term rentals and taxes non-owner-occupied units, boosting oversight and generating revenue from hosts.
HB 6493 — Summary
Overview
HB 6493 would require owners of short-term rental properties to register in a state-wide registry and would impose a tax on units that are not owner-occupied. The bill is categorized under Rental Housing and has been referred through several legislative steps since its introduction on January 24, 2025.
Purpose and intent
- Create a centralized state registry for short-term rental properties to improve data collection, oversight, and enforcement.
- Establish or authorize taxation on short-term rental units that are not owner-occupied, with the aim of generating revenue and ensuring tax compliance by hosts.
Key provisions (as indicated by the bill’s title and status)
- Mandatory registration: Owners of short-term rental units must register with a state-wide registry. The registry would likely collect information such as property address, ownership details, contact information, and occupancy status.
- Tax on non-owner-occupied units: A tax would be imposed on short-term rental units that are not owner-occupied. The bill would specify who collects the tax (likely the state department responsible for taxation or revenue) and the mechanisms for reporting and remittance.
- Administration and enforcement: The registry and tax program would require administrative rules, reporting requirements, and enforcement provisions to ensure compliance.
- Data use: Information collected through the registry would be used for housing policy, planning, and revenue purposes, while protecting privacy as defined by the bill.
Affected parties
- Short-term rental owners and operators (including individuals and property management entities) who list units for short-term occupancy.
- Primary residence owners (owner-occupants) may be exempt from the tax portion for units that are owner-occupied, depending on the bill’s definitions.
- Real estate owners and landlords with multiple units used as short-term rentals.
- Hosting platforms or intermediaries, if the bill defines platform reporting or facilitates registration.
- State Department/Agency designated to administer the registry and tax collection (likely the Department of Revenue/Taxation or equivalent).
Procedural timeline and status
- Introduced: January 24, 2025.
- January 24, 2025: Referred to Joint Committee on Housing.
- February 4–6, 2025: Change of Reference actions shifting jurisdiction to House Finance, Revenue and Bonding and Senate counterparts (designating consideration by Finance, Revenue and Bonding in both chambers).
- Current status: The bill has been moved to committees in both chambers for consideration, indicating active pursuit in the Finance and Revenue/bonding arenas.
Fiscal and policy considerations (high level)
- Potential revenue: Tax on non-owner-occupied units could generate state revenue, subject to compliance and collection effectiveness.
- Administrative costs: Establishing a state-wide registry and tax administration would require funding and staff for registration processing, enforcement, and data management.
- Housing market impact: Data collection could inform housing policy; the tax may influence the number of non-owner-occupied short-term rentals and related housing availability.
Next steps
- Monitor committee hearings and any amendments to the registry scope, tax rate or exemptions.
- Review fiscal notes for estimated revenue, costs, and potential economic impact on hosts and platforms.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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