An Act to promote jobs and economic growth in tourism, visitation and hospitality

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Natalie Blais and 6 co-sponsors

Directs 2.5% of prior year's room occupancy tax to the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund to boost funding for tourism programs and marketing.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means

Overview

H.3031, introduced February 27, 2025 and sponsored by Representative Natalie M. Blais (Deerfield), seeks to promote jobs and economic growth in Massachusetts’ tourism, visitation, and hospitality sectors. The bill appears to center on increasing funding for the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund by directing a portion of the state’s room occupancy excise tax to that fund. A related measure (HD 2733) from a prior session is noted as a replacement in the same docket.

What the bill would do (Key provisions)

Amend Section 13T of Chapter 23A. Specifically, the first paragraph would be amended by adding at the end: “; and 2.5% of the state’s room occupancy excise from the prior fiscal year.”

Fiscal impact: The amendment establishes an additional revenue stream to support the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund (i.e., “provide additional funding for the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund”). The language frames the 2.5% as drawn from the prior fiscal year’s room occupancy excise receipts.

Who would be affected

Lodging and hospitality businesses (hotels, motels, vacation rentals) that collect the state room occupancy excise tax.

The Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund, which would receive increased funding to support tourism-related programs and initiatives.

State agencies responsible for tourism marketing, visitor services, and related economic development efforts.

Tourists and visitors, indirectly, as funding and programming could influence tourism capacity and promotional activity.

Procedural and timeline details

Status: Hearing scheduled for October 28, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in hearing room B-2.

Legislative history:

Referred to the Senate/House Revenue committee on February 27, 2025.
Senate concurred on February 27, 2025.
Related measure: House Docket No. 2715 from the 2023-2024 session (noted as similar/previous matter).

Filed information:

House Docket No. 2733; filed January 16, 2025; presented by Rep. Natalie M. Blais.

The bill is categorized as a revenue-related initiative (explicitly tied to tax/fee adjustments for funding purposes).

Notes and context

The bill aligns with the stated purpose of boosting funding for tourism-related economic development through the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund.

If enacted, the 2.5% allocation would constitute an ongoing adjustment to the room occupancy excise revenue stream, taken from the prior fiscal year’s receipts.

Stakeholders will likely scrutinize budgeting assumptions, the mechanism for calculating “prior fiscal year” receipts, and any unintended impacts on lodging prices or occupancy demand.

This summary focuses on the substantive provisions, fiscal intent, and potential impact based on the bill’s text and stated purpose.

Bill