26-04-2025
Bills pass in the House that threaten Tourism Development Tax and the community
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Despite local lawmakers speaking out against House Bill 7033 and House Bill 1221, they both passed in the House Friday morning.
Representative Griff Griffitts took to Facebook to publicly share his opposition.
HB Bill 1221 passed in a 62-45 vote.
HB 7033 passed with a 78-29 vote.
The reality of the bills' impacts on the tourism development tax continues to weigh on tourism organizations.
'The House of Representatives voted to put forward two bills. One was a local option sales tax bill. And the second one was the overall House tax package that included provisions that pretty much wipe out, first of all, councils as they exist now. I mean, TDCs would be abandoned or dissolved by the end of the year,' Bay County TDC Executive Director Dan Rowe said.
You can see the TDC's impact in Bay County just about everywhere you look, especially in recent months.
With projects such as updating Econofina Creek amenities, the beach re-nourishment project in Mexico Beach, extra funding for Panama City Beach Police to battle spring break, the Ed Hickey, ADA beach access, and countless others.
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All of the projects have enhanced the Bay County experience for visitors and locals alike.
'It's about the 30,000 people in Bay County that are employed either directly or indirectly by the tourism industry. I mean it's their livelihoods, it's their businesses. I mean, we're trying to make sure we're doing our part just to keep, you know, Panama City Beach and Bay County's best foot forward. So that we will continue to attract people on a year-round basis because getting people here throughout the year really does, you know, helps us to stabilize our local economy and employment also allows us to attract new things,' Rowe said.
The TDC is also involved in the turtle monitoring efforts, the Publix Sports Park, public safety, and countless signature events.
While the push from legislation includes redirecting tourism development taxes to offset residents' property taxes, residents could still face other financial burdens.
'There will be future storm events, and beach renourishment helps us protect against those. So that was on the backs of our local residents, you know, people across Bay County, whether or not just people living on the beach, but everywhere in Bay County, would be forced to pay that bill. The same with lifeguards, the same with a lot of other things,' Rowe said.
House bills do need companion Senate bills to move along.
Rowe says he has faith in the Senate.
'But the one that did pass this, you know, the House is, you know, the tax package in the Senate has a tax package. It does not include, you know, the devastating impacts to the tourist development tax that the House did. And so when they pass the final version of their tax package, then you know, both the Senate President and the Speaker of the House will appoint, you know, representatives to negotiate the deal,' Rowe added.
Until the House and Senate agree on the tax package bill, nothing is certain. Which is why it's important to monitor the legislative process and voice any concerns to your senators and representatives.
The legislative session was originally intended to end next Friday.
It's still unclear how much longer the session will last, but with the potential economic impacts these bills would have on Bay County, we will continue to provide updates. Learn more about HB 7033 and HB 1221.
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