A bill passed by the Missouri Senate would reinstate some sources of Tourism funding.

The complete release below is from Senator Brad Hudson's Office:

Sen. Brad Hudson, R-Cape Fair, this week celebrated the final passage of Senate Bill 1000 through the Missouri Senate. The legislation seeks to eliminate statutory language that had existed for many years and is no longer applicable, such as the use of SIC codes to determine funding for the Division of Tourism, while re-authorizing the Tourism Supplemental Revenue Fund to maintain Division of Tourism operations in FY26 and beyond.

“This is one of those bills that is not going to make a lot of headlines, but is vital for our Division of Tourism and their partners across the state,” Hudson said. “The tourism funding formula went into effect on July 1, 1994. The formula and corresponding Tourism Supplemental Revenue Fund were re-authorized in subsequent years. The 2013 reauthorization designated June 30, 2020, as the sunset for the formula, as they transitioned away from old SIC codes to a straight appropriation by the Legislature. In January 2024, however, the Department of Economic Development and the Division of Tourism were notified that language in the formula’s sunset provision pertained also to the Tourism Supplemental Revenue Fund itself, not just the formula. As such, the fund is technically sunset. Without this fund, the Division of Tourism is in danger of not being able to access resources that supplement the State’s yearly appropriation. I was happy to carry this bill for a second year, and get it out of the Senate before spring break. I am hopeful we can get quick passage out of the House and an even quicker signature from the governor on this piece of common sense legislation.”

The bill now goes to the Missouri House for consideration where it is carried by Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson.