BILL NUMBER: S10556
SPONSOR: WEBB
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the tax law, in relation to the allocation and use of
revenues raised from the imposition of hotel and motel taxes in Cortland
county
 
PURPOSE:
This bill allows Cortland County additional flexibility in distributing
revenues received through its 3% hotel and motel occupancy tax.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends subdivision 9 of section 1202-g of the Tax Law to allow
Cortland County to use occupancy tax revenue for any lawful purpose
related to economic development, with at least 75 percent of the first
$1.0 million be dedicated to tourism development, tourist activities and
attractions, and tourist products.
Section 2 Sets the effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State Tax Law, § 1202-g (1) and (9) presently authorizes Cort-
land County to adopt and amend local laws, ordinances, or resolutions
imposing an occupancy tax of up to 5%, and also direct that all revenues
be allocated for tourism development, including advertising and market-
ing of tourist attractions. Economic development is closely intertwined
with tourism and vital to the long-term sustainability and growth of the
County's economy. Cortland county has requested this legislation expand-
ing the authorized use of occupancy tax funds to include other economic
development purposes to allow the County greater flexibility to support
projects that support local business development, hospitality sector
growth, workforce creation and other related initiatives that directly
or indirectly benefit the County's economy, including tourism, as a
whole.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately

Statutes affected:
S10556: 1202-g tax law, 1202-g(9) tax law