LC 4.3: Tourist Tax Act (Passed)

[OneJ]

Tourist Tax Act

A bill to tax tourist stays in Lincoln to pay up for renewal of public tourist infrastructure and develop a sustainable tourism model

Be it enacted by the Lincoln Assembly

SECTION I: The Taxable Event
1. Tourist stays in the region of Lincoln, counted by days or fraction thereof, shall comprise the taxable event regarded by this act.
2. The tourist stays in the following establishments shall be subject to this tax:
 a) Stays in hotels, tourist apartments, tourist villas and rural tourism establishment, as specified by regional tourist law
 b) Any other establishment regarded as a lodging tourist establishment by regional tourism regulations
3. The following stays shall be exempted from this tax
 a) Stays by children aged 14 and below
 b) Stays subsidized by social programs by any federal, regional, state or local administration
 c) Stays in campigns and youth hostels, as specified by regional and federal youth regulations

SECTION II: Tax payers
1. This tax shall be paid by any person or corporation who books a stay in any tourist establishment as specified in section I.2
2. The tax shall be paid at the end of the stay alongside the final bill and shall be paid for each day of the stay.
3. The tax rates established shall be as follows
 a) For 5 star hotels and apartments: 1.50$ per person per day
 b) For 4 star hotels and apartments: 1$ per person per day
 c) For any other kind of tourist establishment: 0.50$ per person per day
4. The maximum tax rate to be paid shall be equivalent to 7 days per person

SECTION III. Enactment
1. This act shall become effective one day after passage
2. The tax rates established by this act may be modified by the Lincoln budget

Sponsor: OneJ

The debating period has commenced. It shall last no less than 72 hours.

[OneJ]

This bill was introduced during the last Council with current Senator Pyro as the Sponsor and Senator Tack is the author of the bill. The Tourist Tax Act ensures that tourists pay these taxes that will go towards improvements of the Lincoln Region.

[Peanut]

I will admit I was a bit skeptic back when this bill was first introduced, but upon closer consideration I see the many developments and the help to Lincoln's economy and citizens this can accomplish. I support this bill.

[JGibson]

I urge the passage of the Tourist Tax Act to strengthen Lincoln.

[Former President tack50]

Ok, so since Deputy GM tmth did a story on this bill, I will reply to the claims several NPCs have made

TOURISM INDUSTRY VOWS TO FIGHT 'TOURIST TAX ACT' IN LINCOLN

Leaders of multiple high profile hotel chains vowed to fight the Tourist Tax Act proposed in Lincoln. The law, if passed, would add an additional tax on most lodging stays in the region.

Hilton Spokesperson: "We hope to lobby the legislature to defeat this bill, or at the very least, clearly establish what the definition of a tourist is. Travel in Lincoln is good for the economy and is necessary for many Lincoln businesses that will ultimately absorb this cost. This law is counterproductive to creating the business environment we need."

NYC Spokesperson: "Tens of millions of people fly from all over the world each year to visit New York City, generating billions of dollars that fund our schools, police and other vital services. We are confident that we will work with the regional government to ensure that Lincoln continues to be a welcoming region for tourists."

Jillian, NYC townie: "Why stop there?? Ban tourists all together! This is OUR city, we don't need outsiders coming in and crowding the streets!!"

I have to say that the argument that this would reduce tourism into Lincoln is very much overstated. The tax has a maximum cap of 7 days of taxes, which even for a stay at a 5 star hotel only means 10.50$ per person. I'm pretty sure your average tourist in Lincoln can afford to pay 10$ (and in practice much less than that) or that it makes the region any less welcoming.

I do have to say that actually defining what counts as a tourist might be a worthwhile idea, though my initial plan was to just apply it to almost all stays in hotels and the like (with the few exceptions outlined there).

Also, may Dave bless Jillian's heart Best NPC in Atlasian history ever.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

I oppose this bill

Why?
Excludes tourists not staying in hotels, tourist apartments, tourist villas and rural tourism establishment.
Discrimination of tourists
Harms tourism industry
Children between age 14-18 should not pay tax as well (although that might be change by an amendment)

[Peanut]

Any amendments or further comments, Councillors?

[OneJ]

Any amendments or further comments, Councillors?

This. Speak now or forever may hold your peace. I'll extend time to 24 hours after this comment for any additional comments to add to this bill before it goes to a final vote.

[OneJ]

I motion for a final vote on this. The objection period shall last for 24 hours.

[OneJ]

As the objection period has passed, councilmembers will have 48 hours to vote AYE, NAY, or ABSTAIN.

[OneJ]

Aye

[JGibson]

AYE

[DKrol]

Aye

[PSOL]

Abstain

[Pragmatist_TNAG]

Aye

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Nay

[OneJ]

The final vote period has no come to a close and the aye's have it 4-1-1-1. The bill has passed.

Aye: 4 (OneJ, JGibson, DKrol, Pragmatic_TNAG)
Nay: 1 (Lakigigar)
Abstain: 1 (PSOL)
Not Voting: 1 (Ninja)

[Peanut]

Tourist Tax Act

A bill to tax tourist stays in Lincoln to pay up for renewal of public tourist infrastructure and develop a sustainable tourism model

Be it enacted by the Lincoln Assembly

SECTION I: The Taxable Event
1. Tourist stays in the region of Lincoln, counted by days or fraction thereof, shall comprise the taxable event regarded by this act.
2. The tourist stays in the following establishments shall be subject to this tax:
 a) Stays in hotels, tourist apartments, tourist villas and rural tourism establishment, as specified by regional tourist law
 b) Any other establishment regarded as a lodging tourist establishment by regional tourism regulations
3. The following stays shall be exempted from this tax
 a) Stays by children aged 14 and below
 b) Stays subsidized by social programs by any federal, regional, state or local administration
 c) Stays in campigns and youth hostels, as specified by regional and federal youth regulations

SECTION II: Tax payers
1. This tax shall be paid by any person or corporation who books a stay in any tourist establishment as specified in section I.2
2. The tax shall be paid at the end of the stay alongside the final bill and shall be paid for each day of the stay.
3. The tax rates established shall be as follows
 a) For 5 star hotels and apartments: 1.50$ per person per day
 b) For 4 star hotels and apartments: 1$ per person per day
 c) For any other kind of tourist establishment: 0.50$ per person per day
4. The maximum tax rate to be paid shall be equivalent to 7 days per person

SECTION III. Enactment
1. This act shall become effective one day after passage
2. The tax rates established by this act may be modified by the Lincoln budget

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