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Bill

HB 6031

Tourist Development Taxes

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Anna Eskamani

Florida bill proposing changes to tourist development taxes died in committee after indefinite postponement, leaving local tourism funding structures unchanged.

Died in Ways & Means Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 6031

Legislative bill overview

HB 6031 proposes modifications to Florida's tourist development tax (bed tax) structure, which funds tourism promotion and infrastructure in counties. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Anna Eskamani and would have altered how these taxes are collected or distributed across the state. The measure ultimately died in the Ways & Means Committee after being indefinitely postponed.

Why is this important

Tourist development taxes are significant revenue sources for Florida counties, generating hundreds of millions annually for tourism marketing, convention centers, and related infrastructure. Changes to how these taxes are structured affect both local government budgets and the competitive landscape for Florida's tourism industry, which is central to the state's economy. The bill's failure reflects ongoing tensions between state-level tax policy concerns and local tourism funding needs.

Potential points of contention

  • Local revenue autonomy – Whether counties should have flexibility in setting/using bed taxes versus state-level standardization
  • Distribution equity – How tax revenues should be allocated between tourism promotion versus infrastructure/housing needs in tourist-heavy areas
  • Tourist burden – Whether increasing or restructuring taxes on visitors unfairly targets the hospitality industry during economic uncertainty

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

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