MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Local and Private Legislation; Ways and Means

By: Representatives Guice, Endt

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, TO LEVY A TAX UPON THE GROSS PROCEEDS DERIVED FROM HOTEL, MOTEL AND BED AND BREAKFAST ROOM RENTALS IN THE CITY; TO PROVIDE FOR A PETITION ELECTION ON THE QUESTION OF IMPOSING SUCH A TAX; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TAX SHALL BE COLLECTED BY THE STATE TAX COMMISSION AND PAID TO THE CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROCEEDS FROM THE TAX SHALL BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE OCEAN SPRINGS AREA; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. As used in this act, the following terms shall have meanings ascribed in this section unless otherwise clearly indicated by the context in which they are used:

(a) "Governing authorities" means the governing authorities of the City of Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

(b) "Hotel," "motel" or "bed and breakfast" means any establishment engaged in the business of furnishing or providing rooms intended or designed for dwelling, lodging or sleeping purposes to transient guests and which are known in the trade as such. The term "hotel," "motel" or "bed and breakfast" does not include any hospital, convalescent or nursing home or sanitarium, or any hotel-like facility operated by or in connection with a hospital or medical clinic providing rooms exclusively for patients and their families.

SECTION 2. (1) For the purpose of providing funds to promote tourism and economic development in the Ocean Springs, Mississippi, area, the governing authorities of the City of Ocean Springs, in their discretion, are authorized to levy and collect from every person, firm or corporation operating a hotel, motel or bed and breakfast in the city a tax, which shall be in addition to all other taxes and assessments imposed, which shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the gross proceeds derived from room rentals of all such hotels, motels or bed and breakfasts in the city, excluding charges for food, telephone, laundry, beverages and similar charges. The tax shall not be levied upon or collected from gross proceeds derived from room rentals for day meetings where the room does not serve as overnight sleeping accommodations.

(2) Persons, firms or corporations liable for the tax imposed under subsection (1) of this section shall add the amount of the tax to the sales price and shall collect, insofar as is practicable, the amount of the tax due by him from the person receiving the services or product at the time of payment therefor.

(3) Such tax shall be collected by and paid to the State Tax Commission on a form prescribed by the State Tax Commission in the same manner that state sales taxes are computed, collected and paid; and the full enforcement provisions and all other provisions of Chapter 65, Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall apply as necessary to the implementation and administration of this act.

(4) The proceeds of such tax, less three percent (3%) thereof which shall be retained by the State Tax Commission to defray the costs of collection, shall be paid to the governing authorities on or before the fifteenth day of the month in which collected.

(5) The proceeds of such tax shall not be considered by the City of Ocean Springs as general fund revenues but shall be dedicated to and expended solely for the purposes specified in this section.

SECTION 3. Before the tax authorized by this act may be imposed, the governing authorities shall adopt a resolution declaring their intention to levy the tax, setting forth the amount of such tax and establishing the date on which the tax initially shall be levied and collected. Notice of the proposed tax shall be published once each week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper having a general circulation in the City of Ocean Springs. The first publication of the notice shall be made not less than twenty-one (21) days before the date fixed in the resolution on which the tax initially is to be levied and collected, and the last publication of the notice shall be made not more than seven (7) days before such date. If, within the time of giving notice, twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is less, of the qualified electors of the City of Ocean Springs, file a written petition against the levy of such tax, then the tax shall not be levied unless authorized by a majority of the qualified electors of the City of Ocean Springs, voting at an election to be called and held for that purpose. At least thirty (30) days before the effective date of the tax, the governing authorities shall furnish to the State Tax Commission a certified copy of the resolution evidencing such tax.

SECTION 4. Accounting for receipts and expenditures of the funds described in this act shall be made separately from the accounting of receipts and expenditures of the general fund and any other funds of the City of Ocean Springs. The records reflecting the receipts and expenditures of the funds prescribed in this act shall be audited annually by an independent certified public accountant, and the accountant shall make a written report of his audit to the governing authorities. The audit shall be made and completed as soon as practicable after the close of the fiscal year, and expenses of such audit shall be paid from the funds derived pursuant to this act.

SECTION 5. The governing authorities of the City of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, shall submit this act, immediately upon approval by the Governor, or upon approval by the Legislature subsequent to a veto, to the Attorney General of the United States or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.

SECTION 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the date it is effectuated under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.