City of Hattiesburg; extend repealer on tourism commission and hotel/motel tax.

This bill extends the expiration date for the Hattiesburg Tourism Commission and its associated hotel/motel tax from July 1, 2027, to July 1, 2031. The legislation directly affects the City of Hattiesburg and hotel or motel operators within the city that would be subject to the tax. Under the bill, a seven-member commission will be appointed by the mayor and ratified by the city council to oversee tourism promotion activities. The commission will consist of representatives from the hotel industry, chamber of commerce, university, and at-large members who serve without compensation. Hotel and motel operators will be required to pay a tax of up to 2% on overnight room rentals, which will be collected by the Department of Revenue and transferred to the city to fund the commission's operations.