WI SB998

Cities, villages, towns, and counties may create tourism promotion improvement districts containing at least two hotels or motels to fund tourism promotion activities and infrastructure improvements through assessments on lodging properties

District creation requires petition from owners of at least 50% of hotel/motel rooms, a public hearing, local legislative body approval, and no objection petition from 50% of room owners within 30 days

Assessments are collected by the Department of Revenue using the same process as retail sales taxes and distributed quarterly to private nonprofit owners' associations that manage district activities

New districts may levy assessments for up to 5 years, renewed districts for up to 10 years, and districts financing capital improvements with bonds may assess for the bond lifetime

Districts may be dissolved if 65% of room owners request dissolution in writing during the first 30 days of any operating year, or if the local legislative body finds misappropriation, malfeasance, or legal violations in district management