Committee hears bill to restore tourism supplemental revenue fund and update funding language

State Representative Brian Sites introduced House Bill 967 to reestablish and modernize the tourism supplemental revenue fund that supports the Missouri Division of Tourism and the Missouri Film Office.

Representative Sites, sponsor of HB 967, said the fund "receives a general revenue transfer to maintain the operations of the Missouri division of tourism and the Missouri film office." He told the committee the fund’s enabling language (originating in 1993’s House Bill 188) included outdated references such as SIC codes and that a sunset provision had been interpreted in January 2024 to apply to the supplemental revenue fund itself, leaving money available but not being used. "Somehow, an interpretation was made that part of the formula ... was declared to fall under the sunset, not just the formula. So as such, the fund is technically sunset. We're not using it. There's money there to be used," Sites said.

Witnesses from tourism organizations urged passage to restore routine operations and cooperative marketing reimbursements. Tracy Kimberlin, who identified herself as representing the Missouri Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus, explained the practical effect: "Basically, what happened, the tourism, supplemental tourism revenue fund allows the division of tourism to carry over funds into the next fiscal year to pay obligations from fourth quarter advertising. They also have a cooperative marketing program ... where marketing expenses are split 50 50. That's reimbursed by the division of tourism quarterly. So this allows the fourth quarter reimbursements to be paid in the first quarter of the next fiscal year." Kimberlin said the fund’s monies had never been swept from the division but called HB 967 a necessary “fix” to prevent interruptions going forward.

Chris Ropey, representing the city of Branson, and Katie Gamble of the Missouri Hotel Lodging Association also testified in support. When Representative Whaley asked how the fund is regenerated, Kimberlin replied the fund is supported "through general revenue appropriations, every year," and Whaley noted that means taxpayer dollars are used to replenish the fund.

No opposition testimony was recorded in the hearing excerpt. Committee members indicated broad support and said HB 967 would be folded into an omnibus tourism package the chair expects to advance later in the session.

Ending

The public hearing on HB 967 concluded with supporters urging the committee to correct the sunset interpretation and restore the supplemental revenue fund to allow timely reimbursements and continued cooperative marketing with local convention and visitors bureaus.