HB 4148
Allows net local transient lodging tax revenue to be used for resiliency grants for small businesses in the restaurant and lodging industry.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
23%
Oppose
77%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
House Bill 4148 allows Oregon cities and counties to use revenue from the local transient lodging tax – typically collected from tourists – to provide grants to small businesses in the restaurant and lodging industries. The bill shifts the balance of how this tax revenue can be used, allowing for a greater proportion to support local services through special districts or directly by the local government. It also requires local governments to report on their tax revenue usage every other year to ensure transparency and accountability.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Cosponsor
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of HB 4148 advocate for raising the lodging tax to generate revenue for local organizations to preserve Oregon's unique ecosystem and balance human well-being with wildlife conservation. The bill aims to address financial burdens on local residents caused by tourism-related restrictions, allowing for a greater share of visitor-generated dollars to be invested in community support. Proponents argue that this flexibility will enable cities and counties to utilize lodging tax revenue more effectively, addressing the strain on city services and infrastructure caused by rapid population growth and heavy tourism activity. By providing local control over transient lodging tax revenues, the bill seeks to balance tourism promotion with public safety, parks, and community infrastructure needs, ensuring fairness and sustainability for coastal communities.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of House Bill 4148 express concerns about the potential negative impact on small businesses, local economies, and rural communities. They argue that reducing investment in tourism promotion will put jobs at risk, create economic uncertainty, and undermine the state's economic development model. Many that redirecting lodging tax revenue away from tourism promotion would weaken the economic engine supporting hospitality jobs, leading to volatility rather than stability. Some also express concerns about the potential disruption of a stable tourism funding framework, which supports Oregon's visitor economy and local businesses. Additionally, opponents argue that the bill fails to honor commitments made in previous state Transient Lodging Tax processes and ignores collaboration with the tourism industry, potentially harming group demand and eroding trust between the state and hospitality businesses.
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