What's happening
This bill increases the occupancy tax on hotel and motel rooms in Onondaga County from 5% to 7%.
Why it matters
Potential for higher revenues. Increasing the occupancy tax rate from 5% to 7% could significantly boost the amount of money collected by Onondaga County, providing more funds for public services, tourism promotion, or local infrastructure improvements.
Impact on visitors and the hospitality industry. The tax hike means travelers staying at hotels and motels in the county will pay more per night, which could influence travel decisions, especially for budget-conscious visitors or large group events.
Competitive positioning with other regions. Raising the tax rate may make Onondaga County less competitive compared to neighboring counties or cities with lower or similar hotel taxes, potentially affecting the attractiveness of the area for conferences, sporting events, and tourism.
No change for long-term stays. The exemption for “permanent residents” (those staying 30+ consecutive days) remains, so the increase targets short-term visitors rather than long-term tenants or extended-stay guests.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Raise Onondaga Hotel Tax
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A9738
- Ordered to third reading cal.985
- Reported and committed to rules
- Referred to investigations and government operations
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Raise Onondaga Hotel Tax
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Pamela J. Hunter
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7789
IN SENATE
February 20, 2020
Introduced by Sen. MAY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
AN ACT to amend the tax law, in relation to imposing an additional two percent occupancy tax in the county of Onondaga
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 1202-a of the tax law, as amended by chapter 398 of the laws of 1991, is amended to read as follows:
(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, the county of Onondaga is hereby authorized and empowered to adopt and amend local laws imposing in such county a tax, in addition to any other tax authorized and imposed pursuant to this article such as the legislature has or would have the power and authority to impose upon persons occupying hotel or motel rooms in such county. The rates of such tax shall be [five] seven percent of the per diem rental rate for each room provided however, such tax shall not be applicable to a permanent resident of a hotel or motel. For the purposes of this section the term "permanent resident" shall mean a person occupying any room or rooms in a hotel or motel for at least thirty consecutive days.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the month next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15161-01-0
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the tax law, in relation to imposing an additional two percent occupancy tax in the county of Onondaga
Purpose
To increase the Onondaga occupancy tax from 5% to 7% on the per diem rental room rate.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends subdivision 1 of section 1202-a of the tax law to increase the Onondaga occupancy tax by 2%.
Section two provides that this act shall take effect on the first day of the month next succeeding the date that it was enacted.
Justification
This bill adds a small increase to the Onondaga occupancy tax rate as requested by the Onondaga County Legislature. The additional funding will be used to promote and enhance local tourism and support small businesses.
Legislative history
New bill
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first day of the month next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.