Rep. Dave Armstrong and Sen. Jesse James Announce Co-Sponsorship of Tourism Promotion Improvement District Legislation

The Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association (WHLA) is pleased to announce that Representative Dave Armstrong and Senator Jesse James have officially announced their co-sponsorship of LRB 2882/6083 – Tourism Promotion Improvement Districts (TPIDs) — a significant step forward in an effort WHLA has been working diligently to advance on behalf of Wisconsin’s lodging and tourism industry.

Tourism is a vital economic driver for communities across Wisconsin. Hotels, motels, restaurants, attractions, and retail businesses all benefit when visitors choose to stay longer and return often. This legislation creates a new, locally driven tool designed to strengthen tourism promotion and support community-specific growth.

What the TPID Legislation Does

LRB 2882/6083 would allow municipalities or counties to establish Tourism Promotion Improvement Districts (TPIDs) at the request of the lodging community. A TPID may be created when hotel, motel, and short-term rental owners representing at least 50% of the rooms within a proposed district request its formation.

Under the legislation:

• Lodging owners develop an operating plan, subject to municipal or county approval
• Plans outline tourism-related improvements and activities, funding sources, and the intended lifespan of the district
• Funding may include assessments on participating hotels, motels, and short-term rentals

TPIDs may coordinate with existing destination marketing organizations (DMOs), such as convention & visitors bureaus and chambers of commerce, or other qualified entities to carry out tourism promotion activities vital to our economy. This flexibility allows each district to determine the most effective approach based on local needs, priorities, and capacity.

Importantly, TPID assessments would be in addition to existing room taxes, and municipalities and counties would not be permitted to reduce current tourism promotion funding. TPIDs are designed to increase tourism investment, not replace or offset existing support for DMOs or tourism infrastructure projects.

Accountability and Flexibility Built In

The bill includes strong safeguards and flexibility:

• TPIDs may be renewed with the support of owners representing at least 50% of rooms
• A municipality or county may dissolve a TPID in cases of misappropriation, malfeasance, or mismanagement
• Owners representing 65% of rooms within a district may also request dissolution

This structure ensures TPIDs remain accountable, transparent, and responsive to the needs of participating businesses and communities.

Why This Matters

TPIDs offer a powerful, voluntary, and locally tailored tool for communities that want to invest more strategically in tourism promotion. Funded by — and at the request of — lodging businesses, TPIDs allow hotels, motels, and short-term rentals to partner with local governments to build on their community’s unique strengths.
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WHLA extends its sincere thanks to Rep. Dave Armstrong and Sen. Jesse James for their leadership and support of Wisconsin’s tourism industry. We look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers, members, and community leaders as this legislation moves forward.