HB 7053 Summary

• Changes tourist development tax approval from extraordinary vote to referendum requirement for additional 1% taxes in counties; modifies effective dates and procedures for tax implementation and renewal

• Requires Department of Revenue and counties to remit 5% (or 2% for rural counties) of tourist development tax revenues to Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation from July 1, 2023 through July 1, 2026; counties may elect different percentages after July 1, 2026

• Extends expiration of existing tourist development tax ordinances to 6 years and requires renewal by referendum on or before July 1, 2028 to remain in effect after that date

• Terminates Tourism Promotional Trust Fund effective July 1, 2023; transfers balances and revenues to General Revenue Fund and repeals related statute

• Modifies Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation to prohibit state financial support except county tax revenues, require 75% of expenditures for state parks/forests/rural counties, and mandate dissolution if corporation accepts state funds or receives less than $1 million in public contributions annually