House committee gives favorable report to HB 590, a short‑term rental tax measure affecting Winston County

A House committee voted to give HB 590 a favorable report after lawmakers discussed a short‑term rental tax aimed at Winston County and the effect of a local “Posey Amendment” that requires voters in that county to approve certain local legislation.

The measure, introduced to the committee as HB 590, would create a lodging/short‑term rental tax in Winston County. Committee members discussed how the county’s Posey Amendment adds a step that sends certain local bills to a countywide vote before they can take effect. Representative Wadsworth explained the local distribution formula, saying, “This is the Winston County District. Winston County, and in Winston County, we have what's called the Posey Amendment.”

The committee heard an overview of how revenue from the proposed tax would be split if the measure is adopted and the local vote succeeds. According to remarks on the record, the speaker outlined that 20% of the revenue would go to volunteer fire departments, another 20% would go to the sheriff's office, 5% would go to the county commission, and the remaining 55% would be further divided, with three‑quarters of that remainder going to the area with the majority of short‑term rentals and the other quarter allocated elsewhere in the county. The committee record uses percentage figures as presented by a committee member; several numbers were spoken quickly and described in discussion as approximate.

Committee members also noted a practical impact: the county’s inability previously to pass certain local fee structures had limited some services. One member observed that Winston County’s health department historically “doesn't charge for any services in Winston County,” and that the lack of local fee authority had strained operations.

After discussion, the committee chair moved the question; members voted orally. The chair announced on the record, “With that, HP 5 90 has been given a favorable report.” The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally or named individual votes.

Committee members said the bill will still go to a local vote in Winston County because of the Posey Amendment; removing that requirement would require a separate constitutional change. The bill’s sponsor and affected legislators were described as having been consulted; the transcript records a committee member saying they had spoken with Tracy Estes and that Estes “has no problem whatsoever with [the] bill moving to the house floor.”

Separately, members were notified that the committee will hold a public hearing next Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. in Room 418 on a local bill concerning Barber County sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley; Representative Gary Ford was identified as the affected house member. The chair said no final vote would be taken at that next Wednesday hearing date.

The committee record shows discussion and a favorable committee report for HB 590; further legislative steps and the local Winston County vote remain outstanding.