Bill > LC0461

This bill revises the distribution of Montana's lodging facility use tax, making significant changes to how the tax proceeds are allocated across various state agencies and tourism-related initiatives. The bill modifies the existing law to redistribute the tax proceeds, with the Department of Commerce receiving the largest share (60.2% currently, and 63% after July 1, 2027), and breaks down this allocation into more specific categories. These new categories include funding for tourism media, made-in-Montana promotions, main street programs, rural tourism, tribal tourism, tourism grant programs, regional tourism assistance, and collaboration with economic development. The bill also maintains existing allocations to other entities like the Montana Historical Society, university system, and department of fish, wildlife, and parks. Additionally, the legislation repeals a previous section of code related to lodging facility use tax allocation and will take effect on July 1, 2025. The changes aim to provide more structured and targeted funding for tourism-related activities and economic development across different regions and sectors of Montana's tourism industry.

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/lc/bill/2/LC0461