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HB 1765

Authorizes Washington County to submit a question to the voters on a transient guest tax for tourism purposes

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike McGirl

Allows Washington County, MO, to levy up to 0.5% lodging tax on hotel stays, with all revenue dedicated to funding tourism, only if voters approve.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
#counties #motelsandhotels #taxationandrevenue-salesanduse #tourism
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Bill Summary · HB 1765

Overview

HB 1765 would authorize Washington County, Missouri, to place a question before voters to approve a transient guest tax (lodging tax) of up to 0.5% per occupied room per night. The tax would be dedicated exclusively to funding tourism promotion and would take effect only if voters approve it in a countywide election. The bill applies specifically to a Missouri county meeting defined population parameters and to Washington County upon enactment.

Main purpose and intent

  • Create a mechanism for a county to fund tourism promotion through a modest, dedicated lodging tax.
  • Ensure the tax is approved by county voters before taking effect.
  • Limit the tax rate to a maximum of 0.5% of the nightly room charge and require separate accounting from other taxes.

Key provisions and changes

  • Adds a new section (67.1014) to Chapter 67 governing transient guest taxes.
  • Eligible county definition: A county with more than 22,000 but fewer than 25,000 residents and a county seat with more than 2,300 but fewer than 4,000 residents.
  • Tax authorization and rate:
    • The county governing body may impose a tax on charges for all sleeping rooms in hotels/motels within the county (or part of it) for transient guests (defined as guests staying 31 days or less in a calendar quarter).
    • The tax rate cannot exceed 0.5% (one-half of one percent) per occupied room per night.
    • The tax is in addition to the existing room charge and any other taxes, and must be stated separately from other charges/taxes.
  • Use of proceeds: All tax revenues must be used solely for funding the promotion of tourism.
  • voter approval and effective date:
    • The tax may only become effective if the county governing body submits a question to the county’s voters at an election.
    • If voters approve, the tax takes effect on the first day of the second calendar quarter after the election.
    • If voters reject, the tax cannot take effect unless the question is resubmitted and approved in a subsequent election.
  • Ballot language:
    • The submitted question must be substantially in a specified form, indicating the county name, the proposed rate, and that proceeds will be used solely for promoting tourism.
    • If approved, the tax becomes effective per the schedule above; if rejected, it remains unenacted unless resubmitted and approved later.

Who would be affected

  • Hotels and motels within the eligible county (specifically Washington County, Missouri, upon enactment).
  • Transient guests staying in those lodging establishments (short-term guests of 31 days or less in any calendar quarter).
  • The county government would administer and collect the tax, and dedicate revenue to tourism promotion programs and activities.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Trigger: Election approval by county voters is required to enact the tax.
  • Effective date: If approved, the tax begins on the first day of the second calendar quarter following the election.
  • Re-approval provision: If voters initially reject the measure, the tax may be resubmitted in a future election and, if approved, would become effective under the same timing rules.
  • Current status: Bill introduced and referred to Emerging Issues (H) as of May 15, 2026; prior actions include readings in January 2026 and late 2025 prefiling.

Summary

HB 1765 empowers a specific Missouri county class to propose a small lodging tax (up to 0.5% per night) to voters, with all proceeds dedicated to tourism promotion. The tax would only take effect upon voter approval and would apply to transient guests staying in hotels/motels within the county. The design ensures transparency (separate tax line) and sunset or reset through renewals via future votes if originally rejected. Washington County would be covered upon enactment if the bill becomes law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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