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City Council votes to place 2% hotel-tax measure (37B) on the ballot
Summary
Los Angeles City Council voted to place a 2% transient occupancy tax increase (item 37B) on the ballot after rejecting an amendment to make the increase permanent; the adopted measure drew mixed council comment and opposition from hotel and business groups. The council recorded multiple roll-call tallies and approved the final version of 37B by a 13–2 margin.
The Los Angeles City Council voted to put a 2% increase in the city—ull transient-occupancy tax (TOT) before voters, approving motion Nazarian/Hutt (item 37B) after the Hernandez/Blumenfield amendment to a flat 2% failed.
Council member Nury Martinez (referenced by speakers during debate as Council member Nazarian and others) led the motion adopted as 37B; Council member Hernandez introduced an amendment (37A) intended to keep the increase at 2% permanently but that amendment failed 7 ayes to 8 no. The Nazarian/Hutt motion passed in the first test and the final recorded roll call on the adopted item was 13 ayes and 2 no votes.
Why it mattered: Council members said the vote balances revenue needs tied to preparations for major events with concerns about visitor cost and hotel competitiveness. Opponents, including hotel and business representatives during public comment, warned that higher TOT rates during the run-up to events such as the World Cup and 2028 Olympics could push visitors and conventions to neighboring cities.
What supporters said: Council member Hernandez (introducing the amendment) said she sought clarity and voter-facing simplicity, arguing a flat 2% was less confusing than a graduated temporary increase. Council member McOsker (speaking in favor of adopting option B) said the Olympics justify a temporary boost but supported a pathway to reduce the rate after the games.
What critics said: Jackie Fila, president and CEO of the Hotel Association of Los Angeles, told the council during public comment that now is not the time for a TOT increase and warned a 4% spike through the Olympics and a 2% permanent raise would undermine hotel competitiveness, especially at a 4% rate that could make Los Angeles among the highest-cost markets nationally.
Next steps: The council pproved the ballot language and will forward the measure to the clerk for placement on the ballot consistent with the adopted ordinance and resolution. If voters approve 37B, the city will implement the adopted TOT change according to the ordinance language submitted to the ballot.
