Bill > HB1347

This bill establishes a legal framework for creating Tourism Improvement Districts (TIDs) in Pennsylvania counties, allowing hotels within a designated geographic area to form a special district that can levy a special assessment fee to fund tourism-related activities. The bill defines a TID as a geographical area encompassing hotels that can petition a county to establish the district, with a detailed process for creating and managing these districts. Key provisions include requiring a preliminary plan that outlines proposed tourism activities, boundaries, and budget; establishing a Tourism Improvement District Management Association (TIDMA) to administer the district; allowing counties to impose a special assessment fee on participating hotels (up to 4% of collected fees for administrative costs); and specifying that these fees must be used to supplement, not replace, existing tourism funding. The bill provides mechanisms for public input, including mandatory public hearings and the ability of hotels representing 40% of room inventory to object to district creation or amendment. TIDs have an initial five-year duration and can be renewed, and the TIDMA must submit an annual independent audit of its income, expenditures, and activities. The bill also outlines procedures for terminating a TID, either by hotel request or by county action in cases of financial mismanagement, with provisions for transferring assets to the county upon termination.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1347