STR Hosts, 2025 Is a Game-Changer for Your Rights!

Hey, awesome short-term rental fam!

We've been discussing 2025’s legislative session and how it is shaking things up with bills in New Mexico, Ohio, Vermont, and Washington.  Let's add Missouri to that list!  Bills that could make or break your STR game are popping up all over. From tax protections to potential bans, here’s a recap of some and the scoop on all five key bills—plus how to jump in! 

New Mexico’s HM 52: Fair Play for STRs
 

New Mexico’s House Memorial 52 is your ally, launching a Short-Term Rental Work Group to study STRs’ $1.1B economic punch (14,555 jobs, $82.1M in taxes!). It digs into tourism, workforce housing, and taxes, delivering policy ideas by December 1, 2025. Best part? It pauses counties from slapping commercial tax rates on STRs, saving hosts in Santa Fe ($33.6M in taxes) and beyond from wallet-busting hikes. In committee with big support, it’s a step toward fairness! 

Ohio’s SB 104 & HB 109: Keep Hosting Free
 

Ohio’s Senate Bill 104 and House Bill 109, backed by Sen. Andrew Brenner and Rep. Justin Pizzulli, block local bans on STRs in residential zones, caps on your properties, or live-in requirements. They add lodging taxes to STRs, boosting local funds by up to $29M yearly ($121M to $150M), with platforms like Airbnb handling the math. STRs ease Ohio’s property tax crunch and fuel $46B in tourism. SB 104’s had two Senate hearings, HB 109’s in House committee—let’s push them forward! 

Vermont’s H.242: A Job-Killing Risk
 

Vermont’s H.242 could slam STRs by limiting them to owner-occupied properties, threatening non-owner rentals. The Vermont Short-Term Rental Alliance says this would gut $460M in GDP, $650M in visitor spending, $54M in taxes, and 6,000 jobs—ouch! STRs handle 60% of Vermont’s 450,000 annual guests with just 3% of housing. Stalled in the General and Housing Committee since February 18, 2025, it missed the March 14 deadline but could return in 2026. Stay sharp! 

Washington’s SB 5576: Taxes for Housing
 

Washington’s Senate Bill 5576, led by Sen. Liz Lovelett, swaps a statewide STR tax for an optional 4% local tax to fund affordable housing (STRs tie up ~35,000 units). Scaled back from 6% after a February 25, 2025, hearing, it’s in the Senate Rules Committee, awaiting a full vote. The Washington Hosts Collaborative Alliance warns it could hit small hosts and local guests, despite Airbnb’s $78M tax haul in 2023. Speak up to balance housing and hosting! 

Missouri’s HB 1086: Tax Relief in Sight
 

Missouri’s House Bill 1086, pushed by Rep. Chris Brown and the Missouri Vacation Home Alliance, locks in residential tax status for STRs, stopping assessors from hiking taxes via commercial reclassification (32% vs. 19% rates). One Branson host’s tax bill jumped from $4,380 to $10,680 in a year—HB 1086 says no more! Passed the House 118-34 on March 6, 2025, it’s now in the Senate, supporting Missouri’s $17.8B tourism boom. Let’s get it over the finish line! 

Why This Matters
 

STRs let you share your space, pay bills, and spark local economies using tools like Duve, Yada, or ConciergeBot. HM 52, SB 104/HB 109, and HB 1086 protect your freedom and wallet, but H.242 and SB 5576 could add hurdles. These bills are a tug-of-war between housing needs and hosting rights—your voice can tip the scales!

Take Action Now 

• New Mexico: Share your STR impact with the NM Short-Term Rental Association to shape HM 52’s study. Using Your Welcome? Tell them!

• Ohio: Push SB 104 (Senate Local Government Committee) and HB 109 (House Development Committee) with Ohio REALTORS.

• Vermont: Join VSTRA to block H.242—highlight STRs’ $1,500 local spend per 3-day stay.

• Washington: Urge the Senate Rules Committee to rethink SB 5576’s tax for small hosts.

• Missouri: Contact the Senate Local Government Committee to back HB 1086—share how tax hikes hurt, like MOVHA did!

• Tech Tip: Use Bookboost or Lynx Automation to save time for advocacy.

Got a story about local STR rules or a fave tool like HiJiffy? Drop it into our Community and tell us about it, and let’s keep the STR spirit alive!  

#STRPower #HostWithEase #LegislativeBuzz