Wyoming lawmakers advance lodging tax bill out of committee

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - A bill calling for a 4 percent statewide tax on lodging is moving forward in the Wyoming Legislature.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports the Legislature’s Management Council on Tuesday voted to advance a version of the bill to the floor for an introduction vote.

The bill backed by Republican Sen. Eli Bebout would distribute half the tax revenue to the state’s general fund and the remainder to local governments.

Local government can currently tax up to 4 percent but that amount would be reduced to 2 percent under the bill.

Industry groups have opposed the bill, citing concerns about the tax change disrupting local options.

Bebout says the latest bill draft addresses those concerns by distributing the revenue fairly.

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Information from: Wyoming Tribune Eagle, http://www.wyomingnews.com