The bill, known as the Alabama Tourism Tax Protection Act of 2024, introduces new provisions related to the collection of transient occupancy tax by accommodations intermediaries. It defines key terms such as "accommodations intermediary," "accommodations provider," "hotel," "merchant of record," "professional property management company," and "room charge." The bill mandates that accommodations intermediaries are responsible for collecting and remitting the tax imposed on room charges for lodging transactions they facilitate, effective January 1, 2025. However, if there is a written agreement between the intermediary and the accommodations provider, the tax collected may be remitted to the provider. Accommodations intermediaries must separately state the tax amount on billing documents and add it to the room charge, making it a debt from the customer to the intermediary.

The bill also outlines exemptions from these provisions, including professional property management companies, hotels, destination marketing organizations, and certain accommodations providers that already collect and remit the tax. Additionally, when a professional property management company is involved, it will act as the merchant of record for transactions. The Department of Revenue is tasked with adopting rules for the implementation and administration of the act. The act is set to become effective on October 1, 2024. Notably, the bill includes a requirement for annual reporting by accommodations intermediaries and providers to the Department of Revenue, detailing the physical addresses of accommodations rented for more than 14 days in the previous year, with the information being confidential.