MississippiHB 40792026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Jackson County; extend repeal date on county's hotel/motel tourism tax.

Sponsored By: Jimmy Fondren (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Local and Private LegislationLocal and Private

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Hotel tax funds tourism through 2030

All hotel tax revenue is used only to promote tourism in Jackson County, not for the general fund. The Board can fund the regional visitors bureau or other tourism groups, and can hire for‑profit or nonprofit firms to market and promote tourism and conventions. If the visitors bureau gets funds, it must keep separate books and get a yearly independent CPA audit, paid from the tax money. The county’s authority for this hotel tax continues through July 1, 2030.

Extra 2% tax on hotel rooms

In Jackson County, an extra 2% tax applies to each overnight hotel or motel room. The tax is added to the room price and collected when you pay. It does not apply to food, phone, laundry, beverages, or similar charges. Rooms rented only for day meetings are not taxed.

Voter approval and collection for hotel tax

Before the county can impose the hotel tax, the Board must call an election and publish notice once a week for at least three weeks. The first notice is at least 21 days before the vote and the last no more than 7 days before. At least 60% of voters must approve. The Board must tell the Commissioner of Revenue by the 15th day of the month before the tax starts. Hotels send the tax to the Mississippi Department of Revenue like sales tax; the state then sends money to the county or visitors bureau by the 15th of the next month.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Jimmy Fondren
Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 164 • No: 3

Senate vote • 3/26/2026

Passed

Yes: 50 • No: 2

House vote • 3/16/2026