MississippiHB 41112026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Hancock County; provide that the Hancock County Tourism Development Bureau shall be held inactive with its activities held in abeyance.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Up to 2% hotel room tax

Hancock County can charge up to 2% on rooms rented for 90 days or less. The Mississippi Department of Revenue collects it, keeps 3% for costs, and sends the rest to the county. To start the tax, the Board must pass a resolution and publish it once a week for at least three weeks. The first notice must be at least 14 days before the set date; the last no more than 7 days before. If 20% or 1,500 voters (whichever is less) protest in time, an election is held. If a majority votes yes, the Board may levy the tax within six months. Lodging businesses must collect and remit the tax on state forms.

Tourism bureau paused, with oversight

The Hancock County Tourism Development Bureau exists but is inactive until the Board reactivates it. The Board can hire nonprofits to do tourism advertising and promotion without dissolving the bureau. When active, the bureau has nine members: four picked by the county, two by Bay St. Louis (mayor and council), two by Waveland (mayor and aldermen), and one by the Chamber. Appointments must happen within 60 days, with staggered first terms (two for 1 year, four for 2 years, three for 3 years), then three-year terms. Each member must post a $15,000 bond; premiums come from bureau funds. The bureau must follow open meetings rules, adopt bylaws, send monthly reports, file a yearly independent CPA audit, and submit an annual budget. It may apply for state and federal grants and loans and sign contracts with those agencies.

Tourism funds dedicated to promotion

Tourism room-tax money is not general revenue. The Board must dedicate it to the Hancock County Tourism Development Bureau or the Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Board must publish a dedication resolution. If 20% or 1,500 voters (whichever is less) protest in time, the dedication goes to an election and takes effect only if 60% approve. Money already pledged to repay debt from before SB 2911 (2014) stays pledged until that debt is paid.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Brent Anderson
House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 169 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/27/2026

Passed

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/23/2026