Bill

HB 1634

86(R) - 2019
House Ways & Means
Senate Natural Resources & Economic Development
House Ways & Means
Senate Natural Resources & Economic Development
Taxation
Guadalupe County

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Negative
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

John Kuempel

Sponsor(s)

Judith Zaffirini

Bill Caption

Relating to the imposition and rate of the county hotel occupancy tax in certain counties; authorizing the imposition of a tax.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

HB 1634 would allow Guadalupe County to impose a hotel occupancy tax. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action opposes HB 1634 for violating our principles of limited government and free markets. We generally oppose the creation or expansion of hotel occupancy taxes. First, funding projects through the hotel and occupancy tax (HOT) offers little transparency—lawmakers have no way to verify whether the disincentive caused by the high cost of the HOT is offset by gains elsewhere in the tourism industry. Second, the tourism and travel industry, like any other private industry, should not rely on taxpayer subsidies in order to flourish.

We would prefer reducing or eliminating the HOT altogether. The best economic model is one in which regulation is light, sensible, and transparent.