Connecticut House Bill HB06861

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/17
• Refer: 1/25/17

Caption

An Act Lowering The Occupancy Tax Rate For Bed And Breakfast Establishments.

Impact

The intended impact of HB 06861 is to ease the financial burden on bed and breakfast owners, allowing them to remain competitive against larger hotel chains that may benefit from economies of scale. By lowering the tax rate, the bill seeks to promote more individuals to consider operating bed and breakfasts, ultimately fostering local tourism and economic activity. Proponents of the bill argue that such a reduction could result in increased occupancy rates as the cost of staying at these establishments becomes more attractive to potential guests.

Summary

House Bill 06861 is a legislative proposal aimed at reducing the occupancy tax rate for bed and breakfast establishments in the state. Introduced by Representative Ryan of the 139th District, the bill proposes to amend chapter 219 of the general statutes to lower the occupancy tax for these lodgings to ten percent. This legislative change targets small businesses in the hospitality sector which often face difficulties complying with existing tax obligations.

Contention

Some notable points of contention surrounding the bill may arise from concerns about the implications of reducing tax revenues at the local level. Critics might argue that the decreased tax revenue from bed and breakfasts could lead to funding shortfalls for local services reliant on these tax incomes. Additionally, there may be discussions regarding fairness, as larger hotel establishments may not benefit from similar tax reductions, potentially leading to an uneven playing field within the hospitality sector.