Bill > S232

This bill aims to promote economic development in the Commonwealth by establishing Tourism Destination Marketing Districts (TDMDs). The key provisions of the bill are: 1. TDMDs are geographic areas with clearly defined boundaries that can span multiple cities or towns, with the purpose of providing supplemental tourism and travel promotion services beyond the standard government services. 2. The TDMD is initiated by a petition from a majority of lodging business owners within the proposed district, which includes a TDMD plan detailing the supplemental services, budget, assessment structure, and management entity. 3. The local municipal governing body of the lead jurisdiction holds a public hearing and can then formally declare the TDMD organized, with membership being permanent for assessed lodging businesses until the TDMD is discontinued. 4. The TDMD is governed by a management entity and a committee predominantly comprised of assessed lodging business owners, and is funded through a special assessment not exceeding 3% of the total rent taxable under the state's hotel/motel tax. 5. The TDMD plan can be amended with approval from the local municipal governing body, and the TDMD can be disestablished in cases of mismanagement or through a dissolution process initiated by a majority of the electors.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S232