Maine, Colorado, and Arkansas Updates!
Note: We have a Detailed Overview in our Members' Community under the Government - Restrictions, Regulations, and Rules circle.
Maine’s LD 283: A Tax Scare Defeated
Maine’s LD 283 aimed to redirect 1% of meals and lodging taxes to towns, a “de facto sales tax” per Vacation Rental Professionals of Maine. It risked cutting tourism marketing, despite STRs’ $450M in spending and $40M in taxes. Voted down on March 11, 2025, it’s dead for now but could resurface in 2026. Stay vigilant to protect Maine’s $7.3B tourism!
Maine: Stay ready with VRP Maine for LD 283’s potential comeback.
Colorado’s HB 25-1247: Lodging Tax Hike
Colorado’s House Bill 25-1247, led by Rep. Elizabeth Velasco and Sen. Dylan Roberts, raises the county lodging tax cap from 2% to 6% for STRs and hotels, needing voter approval. Passed the House 42-20 on March 10, 2025, signed into law April 24, 2025, it expands revenue uses to infrastructure, nature, culture, and safety, beyond housing and tourism. Mile High Hosts urges housing focus to avoid guest burdens in Colorado’s $23.7B tourism market. Act now!
Colorado: Engage counties on HB 25-1247’s 6% tax vote—push housing focus with Mile High Hosts!
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Colorado General Assembly: HB 25-1247 summary and prior allocations, https://leg.colorado.gov, accessed April 2025.
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Colorado Capitol Watch: HB 25-1247 voting record, https://app.coloradocapitolwatch.com, accessed April 2025.
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Arkansas’s HB 1445: Property Rights Power
Arkansas’s House Bill 1445, by Rep. Brit McKenzie and Sen. Joshua Bryant, stops local governments from banning or limiting STRs, protecting your constitutional right to host. It zones STRs as residential and allows license revocation after three nuisance violations, keeping neighbors happy. Passed committee 11-9 on February 12, 2025, it’s awaiting a House vote, fueling Arkansas’s $9.2B tourism. Let’s secure it!
Arkansas: Contact House reps to pass HB 1445—tell Rep. McKenzie (@BritMcKenzieAR) your STR supports tourism!
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Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: HB 1445 impact on local ordinances, https://www.nwaonline.com, February 11, 2025.
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X Posts: HB 1445 housing and equity concerns, April 23, 2025, https://x.com.,[](https://x.com/BikeSleepRepeat/status/1915024730740109653)
Good luck, Freedom Fighters! We are pushing for our STR Members in all these states!
