Commerce committee adds meals‑tax allocation for arts, culture and tourism to consent calendar

The Commerce Committee on Oct. 27 placed SB1456 — a bill that would dedicate a portion of the meals‑tax increase to arts, culture and tourism programs — on its consent calendar and referred the measure to the Appropriations Committee.

Committee members described the measure as a step to shore up funding for tourism and cultural venues that have seen flat or reduced funding in recent budget cycles. Supporters noted testimony this year from arts alliances and the restaurant sector that argued for increased investment in arts and tourism because of measurable returns to the state economy.

One senator told the committee she had introduced a similar bill and “I fully support this bill,” citing tourism’s “phenomenal” return on investment. Committee discussion also referenced Scott Dolch as head of the restaurant association during the hearing.

Members described the proposal as a fractional dedication of part of a 1% meals‑tax increase, intended to route additional receipts into arts, culture and tourism programs that help drive restaurant and event spending.

The committee moved and seconded the referral and then added the bill to its consent calendar without objection. The committee did not announce a final recorded tally at the hearing; votes on consent calendar items were held open until 2:00 p.m.

The transcript indicates committee members view the measure as a bipartisan way to support tourism by directing a modest portion of meals tax revenue to cultural venues and events that drive broader economic activity.