PRIA Logo™
MississippiSB 33892026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

City of Hattiesburg; extend repealer on tourism commission and hotel/motel tax.

Sponsored By: Johnny L. DuPree (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Local and Private LegislationLocal and Private

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Hattiesburg voters can force a hotel-tax vote

Before the city starts or continues the hotel tax, it must pass a resolution and publish notice for three weeks. The first levy date must be at least 45 days after the resolution. If 20% of voters or 1,500, whichever is less, petition, an election is required. The tax takes effect or continues only if a majority votes yes. If a majority votes no, it ends the first day of the next month after certification. Revenues pledged to debt from before a 2014 law are exempt until that debt is paid.

Hattiesburg hotel room tax up to 2%

The City of Hattiesburg can charge up to 2% on overnight room rentals. Hotels must add the tax to the bill, collect it, and follow state sales-tax rules. The tax does not cover food, phone, laundry, beverages, or similar separate charges. Hotels and motels with 10 or fewer rooms are not taxed. The state keeps 3% of collections for costs and pays the rest to the city by the 15th. All net money goes only to the Hattiesburg Tourism Commission.

Hattiesburg tourism commission runs through 2031

The law keeps the Hattiesburg Tourism Commission in place through July 1, 2031. The mayor appoints seven members, with council approval: two from hotels, one from the Chamber or Economic Development Foundation, one from the University of Southern Mississippi, and three at-large. Members serve staggered terms, are unpaid, and must post a $50,000 bond. The commission can own or lease facilities, run them, hire staff, and accept public or private funds. Tourism money is kept separate and audited each year by an independent CPA. Audit costs come from commission funds.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Johnny L. DuPree

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Chris Johnson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 50 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/19/2026

Passed

Yes: 50 • No: 1 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/8/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/2/2026House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/2/2026Senate

  4. Returned For Enrolling

    3/31/2026House

  5. Passed

    3/30/2026House

  6. Title Suff Do Pass

    3/25/2026House

  7. Referred To Local and Private Legislation

    3/23/2026House

  8. Transmitted To House

    3/20/2026Senate

  9. Passed

    3/19/2026Senate

  10. Title Suff Do Pass

    3/17/2026Senate

  11. Referred To Local and Private

    3/11/2026Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation