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Bill would designate Branson the 'live entertainment capital' as supporters tout economic impact
Summary
Representative Brian Sites introduced House Bill 109 to formally designate Branson as the live entertainment capital of Missouri. Supporters described Branson's visitor numbers, theater capacity, and attractions; sponsor and witnesses said the bill carries no fiscal note and is intended as a promotional designation to aid local marketing.
State Representative Brian Sites presented House Bill 109 to designate Branson as the "live entertainment capital of Missouri," telling the tourism committee the bill carries no fiscal note and is primarily a formal recognition intended to help marketing and local businesses.
Sites described the significance of Branson’s tourism economy: a small town of roughly 13,000 residents that draws large visitor counts and generates a substantial share of the state’s tourism revenue. "We became a nationwide phenomenon in the 19 nineties ..." Sites said, and he cited figures for the committee describing theater seats, attractions and the town’s contribution to state tourism revenue.
Sites told the committee the bill had bipartisan support in prior sessions and that his goal was to include the measure in a forthcoming omnibus tourism bill. "There is a 0 fiscal note to this bill. It will cost the taxpayers no money," Sites said.
Municipal and industry witnesses testified in favor. Chris Ropey, representing the city of Branson, said designating Branson as the live entertainment capital is fitting: "Branson has over 50 theaters, over 60,000 seats, which is more than Broadway in New York." Katie Gamble of the Missouri Hotel Lodging Association and other supporters also testified; no opposition witnesses were recorded in the excerpt.
Committee members offered supportive remarks, some noting they had visited Branson and praising its entertainment and attractions. The sponsor told members he intends to gather tourism-related measures into an omnibus bill for committee consideration later in the session.
Ending
The public hearing on House Bill 109 concluded with the committee receiving supportive testimony from municipal and industry witnesses; the sponsor plans to request omnibus consideration in a future committee package.
