Authorizes Shannon County to submit a question to the voters on a surcharge tax for certain watercraft rentals and transient guest accommodations

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tony Harbison

Shannon County may ask voters to approve a surcharge on watercraft rentals and short-term lodging, with details and uses defined if the measure passes.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

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Bill Summary — HB 3469 (Session 2026, Missouri)

Purpose and intent

HB 3469 authorizes Shannon County to place a voter-approved surcharge tax on two specific local activity categories: watercraft rentals and transient guest accommodations. The measure empowers the county to submit a question to voters asking whether to implement this surcharge. If approved, the surcharge would fund designated local purposes tied to the activities subject to the tax.

Key provisions

Local authority to refer a question to voters: Shannon County is authorized to submit a ballot question to determine whether a surcharge tax should be imposed on:

Watercraft rentals
Transient guest accommodations (e.g., short-term lodging)

Tax design and administration (to be determined by referendum): The bill provides the mechanism for voter consideration, but the specific rate, base, exemptions, collection method, and administrative details would be set if and when voters approve the surcharge.

Local revenue use (potential, pending specifics): While the bill itself authorizes the referendum, it implies that, if approved, revenues are to be used to fund local government services or projects related to the taxed activities. The exact allocations, purposes, and spending priorities would typically be defined by local authorities and any enabling county ordinances following voter approval.

Who would be affected

Residents and visitors in Shannon County: If the ballot measure passes, individuals and businesses involved in:

Renting watercraft (e.g., boats, jet skis)
Providing transient guest accommodations (short-term lodging operators) would be subject to the new surcharge.

Local government and agencies: The county would administer the tax collection and use revenues per local ordinances and state law, subject to the referendum result.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced and first read: February 26, 2026

Second read (House): February 27, 2026

Referral to committee: May 15, 2026 (Emerging Issues)

Next steps (if passed): If the bill advances and the ballot question is approved by voters, the surcharge would become law under the approved terms, with the county responsible for implementing collection, exemptions (if any), and revenue allocation consistent with voter authorization.

Notes and considerations

The bill does not specify the surcharge rate or detailed exemptions; such specifics are typically established through the ballot language and subsequent county ordinances if the referendum passes.

As a local-option measure, the impact is contingent on voter approval within Shannon County and the county’s administrative rules following passage.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize potential fiscal impacts, administrative steps post-approval, or compare it to similar local surcharge referenda in other counties.