PRIA Logo™
ArizonaHB 2950Fifty-seventh Legislature - Second Regular SessionHouseWALLET

tourism improvement areas; municipalities; counties

Sponsored By: Justin Wilmeth (Republican)

Signed by Governor

amendments (s)annual report (s)board of supervisorscountiesdefinitions (s)legislative findingsmunicipalitiesrequirements (s)special districtsspecial taxing districts - title 48tourism improvement area plan (s)tourism improvement areas

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Tourism assessments add lodging costs

A municipality or county can assess lodging businesses in an approved tourism area. The assessment is either up to $5 per room per night or up to 5% of room-rental receipts, and rates can vary by lodging type or size. Collection starts on the first day of the first month that is 90 days after the governing body adopts the levy. The state collects the money and sends it through local government to the area’s manager. The money pays for tourism advertising, promotion, or business recruitment tied to lodging; it cannot pay to build or maintain physical infrastructure. Lodging businesses pay the assessment, and guests may face higher room prices if businesses pass on the cost.

Lodging owners can leave tourism areas

An owner who signed the formation petition joins when the area forms; other owners can join within 60 days. After that, owners can join or withdraw during an annual 60-day period, with notice sent six months ahead. Withdrawing ends future assessment payments and board eligibility; rescinding a withdrawal restarts assessments at the beginning of the next area fiscal year. Starting one year after formation, owners can seek dissolution during the annual period; a petition covering at least 50% of assessed rooms starts dissolution proceedings. After debts are paid, remaining money is spent under the area plan or refunded to qualifying lodging businesses, using the assessment method and basis from the final fiscal year.

Lodging owners shape tourism area plans

Local governments need another jurisdiction’s consent to form an area in certain places. Before formation, they must mail and publish hearing notice at least 30 days ahead; objections covering at least 50% of assessed rooms stop proceedings for one year. Each area term, including renewals, can last up to 10 years; a renewed area can change its activities and receives the prior area’s remaining money. Assessed lodging owners make up most of the board, which oversees the contracted area manager. The manager reports activities and spending within 120 days after each fiscal year, and the board files the approved area map with the state revenue department. The manager can request plan changes with majority board approval, but cannot change boundaries; a new or higher assessment requires mailed and published notice at least 30 days before a hearing.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Justin Wilmeth

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Brian Fernandez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Consuelo Hernandez

    Democratic • House

  • David Gowan

    Republican • Senate

  • Frank Carroll

    Republican • Senate

  • Jeff Weninger

    Republican • House

  • Kevin Volk

    Democratic • House

  • Lupe Diaz

    Republican • House

  • Michele Peña

    Republican • House

  • Teresa Martinez

    Republican • House

  • Thomas "T.J." Shope

    Republican • Senate

  • Venden "Vince" Leach

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 140 • No: 49

House vote • 6/10/2026

Final Reading: Passed

Yes: 39 • No: 12

House vote • 6/10/2026

Concurrence: Passed

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/9/2026

Third Reading: Passed

Yes: 26 • No: 3

Senate vote • 4/21/2026

Third Reading: failed to pass

Yes: 10 • No: 19

Senate vote • 4/7/2026

Rules: PFC

Yes: 5 • No: 4

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

Finance: DP

Yes: 5 • No: 2

House vote • 3/16/2026

Third Reading: Passed

Yes: 42 • No: 9

House vote • 3/2/2026

Rules: C&P

Yes: 6 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2026

Rural Economic Development: DP

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    6/19/2026Governor

  2. Final Reading: Passed

    6/10/2026House

  3. Concurrence: Passed

    6/10/2026House

  4. Third Reading: Passed

    6/9/2026Senate

  5. Motion to Reconsider Third: Passed

    4/27/2026Senate

  6. Third Reading: failed to pass

    4/21/2026Senate

  7. Committee of the Whole: do pass amended

    4/21/2026Senate

  8. Rules: PFC

    4/7/2026Senate

  9. Finance: DP

    3/23/2026Senate

  10. Senate Second Reading

    3/18/2026Senate

  11. Senate First Reading

    3/17/2026Senate

  12. Third Reading: Passed

    3/16/2026House

  13. Additional Committee of the Whole: do pass amended

    3/11/2026House

  14. Miscellaneous Motion: Passed

    3/11/2026House

  15. Committee of the Whole: do pass amended

    3/9/2026House

  16. Committee of the Whole: Retained on the Calendar

    3/5/2026House

  17. Rules: C&P

    3/2/2026House

  18. Rural Economic Development: DP

    2/19/2026House

  19. House Second Reading

    2/5/2026House

  20. House First Reading

    2/4/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation