Skip to main content

HB 2965

AN ACT relating to the applicability of a hotel occupancy tax in and the

House Bill
Filed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

← Back to Bills

Committee

Not yet assigned

Fiscal Note

Not available

What This Bill Does

Modifies hotel occupancy tax regulations for specific Texas counties, allowing certain counties to use 25% of their hotel tax revenue for removing trash and maintaining litter containers along state-owned rivers and riverbeds. The legislation applies to counties located in the Edwards Aquifer Authority and counties through which the Frio River flows, providing them additional flexibility in using hotel tax funds for environmental maintenance in areas frequented by lodging guests. The bill aims to support local tourism infrastructure and environmental cleanliness in targeted regions.

Subject Areas

Bill Text

relating to the applicability of a hotel occupancy tax in and the
use of hotel occupancy tax revenue by certain counties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 352.002(d), Tax Code, is amended to read
(d)  The tax imposed by a county authorized by Subsection
(a)(6), (8), (9), (10), (11), (14), (15), (16), (17), (19), (20),
(21), (23), or (29) to impose the tax does not apply to a hotel
located in a municipality that imposes a tax under Chapter 351
applicable to the hotel.  This subsection does not apply to:
(1)  a county authorized by Subsection (a)(6) to impose
(A)  has a population of less than 50,000 and
adjoins the most populous county in this state; or
(B)  has a population of more than 200,000 and
(2)  a county authorized by Subsection (a)(9) to impose
the tax that has a population of more than 11,000.
SECTION 2.  Section 352.110, Tax Code, is amended to read as
Sec. 352.110.  USE OF REVENUE; CERTAIN COUNTIES LOCATED
WHOLLY IN EDWARDS AQUIFER AUTHORITY.  A county authorized to impose
a tax by Section 352.002(a)(15) may use the revenue from the tax
(1)  75 percent of the revenue for the purposes
described by Section 351.101(a) and only in relation to
unincorporated areas of the county [promotion of tourism and
(2)  notwithstanding Section 352.1015, 25 percent of
(A)  the removal of trash and litter in the
state-owned rivers and riverbeds located within the boundaries of
(B)  the provision and maintenance of litter
containers on or adjacent to state-owned rivers and riverbeds
primarily used by lodging guests and located within the boundaries
SECTION 3.  Subchapter B, Chapter 352, Tax Code, is amended
by adding Section 352.117 to read as follows:
Sec. 352.117.  USE OF REVENUE: CERTAIN COUNTIES THROUGH
WHICH THE FRIO RIVER FLOWS.  (a)  Subject to Subsection (b), in
addition to the purposes authorized by this chapter, the revenue
from a tax imposed under this chapter by a county authorized to
impose the tax under Section 352.002(a)(16) may be used for:
(1)  the removal of trash and litter in the parts of
state-owned rivers and riverbeds located within the boundaries of
(2)  the provision and maintenance of litter containers
on or adjacent to parts of state-owned rivers and riverbeds that
(A)  primarily used by lodging guests; and
(B)  located within the boundaries of the county.
(b)  A county to which this section applies shall spend 25
percent of the revenue derived in a fiscal year from the tax
authorized by this chapter for the purposes authorized under
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the applicability of a hotel occupancy tax in and the