6/12/25 update:

According to Destinations Florida, HB 7033 has been indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration. That means, as of today, there are no active bills proposing changes to the Tourist Development Tax (TDT). That’s great news.

However, we’re not in the clear just yet. Lawmakers will soon release a new tax package that serves as the vehicle for all remaining tax-related provisions. It’s been “any minute now” for several days, which is why we’ve waited to provide a meaningful update until now.

The Budget Conference has been extended until Wednesday, June 19. Negotiations are ongoing, and the final contents of the tax package will be determined in the coming days.

All verbal signals from Senate leaders indicate the House’s proposal to eliminate TDCs and redirect TDT is not going to happen. While encouraging, nothing is resolved until session is complete.

Destinations Florida will send out a notification when the tax package is released, especially if it includes any language that could impact TDT.

Florida Politics article on HB7033 featuring Rob Skrob from Destinations Florida (May 15, 2025)

Kara Franker shared thoughts on the current situation in the TDC’s May 6th State of Tourism Industry presentation (time stamp 11:38 in the video)

Please make your voices heard using the resources below!

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Proposals to severely eliminate county tourism promotion are moving through the Florida Legislature.

Amendments to House Tax Package - HB 7033 and HB 1221 - would eliminate the use of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenues for tourism promotion and marketing.

This legislation is a direct attack on Florida’s tourism industry and the millions of Floridians whose jobs, businesses and communities rely on visitor spending.

If passed, these bills would:

  • Eliminate or severely reduce funding for tourism marketing and facilities
  • Dissolve every Tourist Development Council in Florida by the end of the year
  • Force a referendum every eight years just to keep local tourism dollars
  • Bring about a loss of jobs in the Keys, not just at hotels and attractions, but in all segments of the community
  • Cut critical tourism funding for coral restoration, beach cleaning, funding for Keys arts and culture and more.

Tourism is Florida’s number one economic driver and visitors fund our Monroe County economy.  

If these bills pass, residents will pay more and get less. And other states will benefit from our loss. 

Now is the time to act. Destinations Florida is asking us and all of you to:

  • Contact your representatives and senators and urge them to vote NO on this legislation
  • Make your voice heard with the local media
  • Share your stories with us about how tourism impacts your business and community and what is at stake. Send to: tdcalert@fla-keys.com

The Florida Keys rely on tourism. Let’s protect our future and make our voices heard.  

RESOURCES:

REPRESENTATIVES: