HB1718_S_Amend

***Adopted***

AMENDMENT No. 1 PROPOSED TO

House Bill NO. 1718

By Senator(s) Committee

Amend by striking Section 2 in its entirety and insert in lieu thereof the following:

SECTION 2. (1) For the purpose of providing funds to promote the attributes of Montgomery County, Mississippi, as they relate to tourism and economic development, and for promoting tourism and economic development, the Board of Supervisors of Montgomery County, Mississippi, in its discretion, is authorized to levy and collect from every person, firm or corporation operating a hotel or motel in the city a tax, which shall be in addition to all other taxes and assessments imposed, which shall not exceed two percent (2%) of the gross proceeds derived from room rentals of all such hotels or motels 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 board of supervisors on or before the fifteenth day of the month following the month in which collected.

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