Authorize a Local Option Sales Tax on Lodging and Other Goods and Provide Funding for Tax Abatement and Rental Relief

Last updated: Jun 10, 2021

Details about this bill
Category: Taxation
Status: Defeated
Sponsor: Representative Michael Sylvester, House 39
Session: 130
Bill #: LD 1342

Position:

Opposed.

UPDATE: The House voted 69-74 against the Ought to Pass motion. The Senate voted 4-29 against the Ought to Pass motion. The bill is dead. 

Summary:

Representative Sylvester of Portland would allow a municipality to impose a local option sales tax of 1% on lodging that is currently subject to the sales and use tax if approved by referendum of the voters in that municipality. Ninety percent of the revenue from the local option sales tax is distributed to the municipality imposing the local option sales tax. The other 10% is distributed to the Maine State Housing Authority, which is required to establish a program of property tax relief and rent relief for municipalities using the revenue.