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Eugene staff explain code change to drop certificate requirement for transient lodging registrations
Summary
City staff told the Eugene City Council on Nov. 17 that an ordinance would remove the city's certificate-of-authority requirement for lodging providers after the state took over tax registration and collection in 2022; Assistant Finance Director said the change would not remove the city’s tax authority. No vote was taken.
The Eugene City Council on Nov. 17 considered an ordinance to amend city code by eliminating the requirement that the city issue certificates of authority to lodging providers, staff said.
City staff explained that in 2022 Oregon transferred responsibility for collecting transient room taxes to the Oregon Department of Revenue; the city amended portions of the Eugene Code to align with state practice but left the certificate-of-authority requirement in place. The proposed ordinance would remove that certificate requirement to streamline the registration process for lodging providers and city staff.
Councilor Clark asked whether removing the certificate requirement would mean the city was giving up regulatory authority. "And we're not giving up any regulatory authority of any kind," Assistant Finance Director Neil O'Bringer replied, explaining the day-to-day filing and registration process is initiated through the state and that the certificate "doesn't provide any significant value" to lodging providers or the city.
No members of the public signed up to speak on the amendment, and the mayor closed the hearing. The council asked staff clarifying questions but did not take a vote during the meeting; the ordinance remains before the council for a future action.
