SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WAGERING, TOURISM & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2986

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 4, 2021

      The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2986.

     This bill increases the allocation of revenues from the hotel and motel occupancy fee towards arts, historical heritage, and tourism purposes from 40 percent to 100 percent.

     Under current law, the allocation of 40 percent of hotel and motel occupancy fee revenue is as follows:

     1)    22.68 percent to the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for cultural projects as long as the actual dollar amount allocated is at least $31.9 million;

     2)    3.84 percent to the New Jersey Historical commission for historical heritage purposes, as long as at least $5.5 million is allocated;

     3)    12.76 percent to the Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State for tourism as long as at least $17.6 million is allocated; and

     4)    0.72 percent to the New Jersey Cultural Trust as long as the amount is not less than $720,000.

     Under this bill, 100 percent of the hotel and motel occupancy fee revenues would allocated as follows:

     1)    56.7 percent would go to the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for cultural projects as long as the actual dollar amount allocated is at least $31.9 million;

     2)    9.6 percent would go to the New Jersey Historical commission for historical heritage purposes, as long as at least $5.5 million is allocated;

     3)    31.9 percent would go to the Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State for tourism as long as at least $17.6 million is allocated; and

     4)    1.8 percent would go to the New Jersey Cultural Trust as long as the amount is not less than $720,000.