Authorizes the town of Rhinebeck, county of Dutchess, to establish hotel and motel taxes within such town

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michelle Hinchey

Authorizes Rhinebeck to enact a local hotel/motel occupancy tax, directing revenue to tourism and town services; rate, exemptions, and administration to be defined in the bill.

REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Summary: Bill S 8188 — Authorizes Rhinebeck to Establish Hotel and Motel Taxes

Overview

Bill Number: S 8188

Title: Authorizes the town of Rhinebeck, county of Dutchess, to establish hotel and motel taxes within such town

Sponsor: Michelle Hinchey (primary)

Status: Referred to Investigations and Government Operations

Introduced: May 20, 2025

Related/Companion: A 8495 ( Assembly companion; listed twice in the provided text)

What the bill would do

The bill would authorize the Town of Rhinebeck to enact a hotel and motel occupancy tax within its boundaries.

This would enable Rhinebeck to establish a local tax on occupancy at hotels and motels, subject to the bill’s terms and applicable state law.

The bill’s text (not provided here) would specify key details such as the tax rate, administration and collection mechanisms, exemptions, and how revenues are allocated or used.

Key provisions (as typically included in this type of measure)

Authorization for local option: Rhinebeck could adopt a hotel/motel occupancy tax within the town.

Rate and administration: The bill would outline or authorize the establishment of a rate and the method of collection (likely through the town’s tax system or designated authority).

Exemptions and applicability: The bill would set out any exemptions (e.g., for certain uses or entities) and define which accommodations are covered.

Revenue use: The bill would describe permitted uses of the revenue (e.g., tourism promotion, convention services, infrastructure or general municipal needs), and any restrictions.

Compliance and reporting: Provisions on reporting, auditing, and oversight to ensure proper use of funds.

Note: The exact rate, exemptions, allocation, and administrative details would be defined in the text of the bill itself and any accompanying amendments.

Who would be affected

Jurisdiction: Town of Rhinebeck, Dutchess County (the local government and its residents).

Local businesses: Hotels, motels, and other lodging operators within Rhinebeck would be subject to the tax collection and reporting requirements.

Visitors/tourists: Guests staying in Rhinebeck lodging could be affected by the new local occupancy tax, depending on the final rate and exemptions.

Municipal finances: Revenue generated would influence Rhinebeck’s budget and potential funding for tourism-related initiatives or other town services, per how the bill designates use of funds.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Current stage: Referred to Investigations and Government Operations (as of the introduced date).

Legislative path: Being a Senate bill, it would need passage by the Senate and Assembly, and then approval by the Governor to become law. The companion Assembly bill is A 8495, which would move in tandem with S 8188 through the legislative process.

Next steps: If advanced, the bill would proceed through committee discussion, potential amendments, and floor votes in both houses, followed by gubernatorial action.

Notes for readers

The bill’s substantive details (rate, exemptions, revenue use, sunset provisions) are not included in the provided summary. For a complete understanding, the full text of S 8188 and the companion A 8495 should be reviewed once available.