2025 NYSHTA Advocacy Priorities
BUDGET
Cuts to Tourism Promotion Matching Grants
The Executive Budget reduces funding for the Tourism Promotion Matching Grant Program by $1 million, to $2.45 million. NYSHTA supports a $1 million restoration to the program to provide much needed assistance to tourism promotion agencies.
Market NY (Support)
NYSHTA supports the Executive Proposal to fund Market NY at $15M.
I Love NY (Support)
NYSHTA supports the Executive Proposal to fund the I Love NY marketing campaign and other targeted investments at $41M.
Extend and Amend the Film Tax Credit (Support)
The Executive Budget proposes to make the following changes to the film tax credit program, seeking to strengthen the filming industry in the State while remaining competitive with other states:
LEGISLATIVE
Tourism Improvement Districts
This bill would enable local governments to pass a law creating a Tourism Recovery Improvement District. This bill only enables the municipality to explore the creation of a District via local legislation. It is NOT a state mandate. In recent years, occupancy taxes used to promote tourism have been stripped away, and this is a way to stabilize the marketing and promotion of the state’s second-largest industry, tourism. The assessment fee would be voted on and approved by the hotels within a municipality.
Credit Card Swipe Fees (Support)
This legislation would exclude sales tax and gratuities from interchange fees (“swipe fees”) charged by credit card networks. Businesses continue to face financial struggles due to rising swipe fees, which now apply not only to the price of goods and services but also to taxes and gratuities. The proposed legislation could save New York businesses and consumers over $930 million annually, providing much-needed relief during tough economic times.
NY Junk Fee Prevention Act
The Senate introduced a bill that seeks to clarify conspicuous pricing practices regarding mandatory "junk fees,” which has also been a hot-button issue at the national level. This bill would mandate all fees be disclosed prior to purchase (booking the room). NYSHTA, along with its national hotel partners, met with the bill sponsor and offered some amendments that would eliminate the Private Right of Action. TIDs and BIDs would also be disclosed prior to purchase.
Air Conditioner Default (May/Epstein)
This legislation mandates that lodging facilities shall not set the default temperature setting in any room or common area lower than 75°F (May–October) and no higher than 64°F (November–April).
Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (CCAA) S.3456 (Hoylman) / A.4282 (Glick)
The Climate Corporate Accountability Act (CCAA) is a bill that would require certain companies to disclose their full value chain GHG emissions. The bill would require companies that have contributed significantly to the buildup of greenhouse gases to bear a share of the costs of infrastructure investments required to adapt to the impacts of climate change in New York State.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act S.1464 (Harckham) / A.1749 (Glick)
This legislation would shift the responsibility for recycling packaging to the producers of those products. As drafted, the bill would classify franchised entities as producers, making them responsible for the recycling costs of any packaging materials that display their brand.
ADA Website Legislation (Cooney/Woerner)
This legislation would provide places of accommodation, resort, or amusement with a time to cure provisions of a website or mobile application, related to allegations of unlawful discriminatory practices with respect to visually and hearing-impaired individuals.
Parks Seeking Age Reduction for Ride Operators
NYSHTA is securing sponsors for a bill that would lower the age to operate any ride at an Amusement Park in New York State to 16. Many surrounding states already have a law in place to allow 16-year-olds to operate any ride, and with worker shortages continuing to be a challenge, this will allow for parks to be able to have more rides open to enhance the guest experience.
NY Privacy Act -NYSHTA’s Amendments Protect Member Rewards Programs
As drafted, the original bill would have had significant implications for hotels and their loyalty programs. The amended version, which passed the Senate, allows for these programs to operate, and provides customers with discounted pricing while being in compliance with the mandates outlined in the legislation.
Tip Credit (González-Rojas/Jackson)
This bill would end the lower minimum wage for tipped food service workers. Opponents argue this could reduce tips, undermining workers who rely on gratuities for higher earnings. Additionally, raising wages may lead to higher menu prices or smaller meal portions, potentially reducing customer demand and affecting business revenue.
Third-Party Hotel Booking Website Disclosures S.2394 (Persaud)
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring third-party accommodation reservation services to identify themselves as such to users and not levy certain cancellation fees.
Cuts to Tourism Promotion Matching Grants
The Executive Budget reduces funding for the Tourism Promotion Matching Grant Program by $1 million, to $2.45 million. NYSHTA supports a $1 million restoration to the program to provide much needed assistance to tourism promotion agencies.
Market NY (Support)
NYSHTA supports the Executive Proposal to fund Market NY at $15M.
I Love NY (Support)
NYSHTA supports the Executive Proposal to fund the I Love NY marketing campaign and other targeted investments at $41M.
Extend and Amend the Film Tax Credit (Support)
The Executive Budget proposes to make the following changes to the film tax credit program, seeking to strengthen the filming industry in the State while remaining competitive with other states:
- Remove the tiered payout structure for new applicants when paying tax credits
- Extend the program an additional two years through 2036
- $100 million incentive for independent studios
- Make several enhancements to the post-production credit
- Provide a 10 percent credit rate benefit for long-term studio partners
- Remove certain restrictions on above-the-line qualified costs
LEGISLATIVE
Tourism Improvement Districts
This bill would enable local governments to pass a law creating a Tourism Recovery Improvement District. This bill only enables the municipality to explore the creation of a District via local legislation. It is NOT a state mandate. In recent years, occupancy taxes used to promote tourism have been stripped away, and this is a way to stabilize the marketing and promotion of the state’s second-largest industry, tourism. The assessment fee would be voted on and approved by the hotels within a municipality.
Credit Card Swipe Fees (Support)
This legislation would exclude sales tax and gratuities from interchange fees (“swipe fees”) charged by credit card networks. Businesses continue to face financial struggles due to rising swipe fees, which now apply not only to the price of goods and services but also to taxes and gratuities. The proposed legislation could save New York businesses and consumers over $930 million annually, providing much-needed relief during tough economic times.
NY Junk Fee Prevention Act
The Senate introduced a bill that seeks to clarify conspicuous pricing practices regarding mandatory "junk fees,” which has also been a hot-button issue at the national level. This bill would mandate all fees be disclosed prior to purchase (booking the room). NYSHTA, along with its national hotel partners, met with the bill sponsor and offered some amendments that would eliminate the Private Right of Action. TIDs and BIDs would also be disclosed prior to purchase.
Air Conditioner Default (May/Epstein)
This legislation mandates that lodging facilities shall not set the default temperature setting in any room or common area lower than 75°F (May–October) and no higher than 64°F (November–April).
Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (CCAA) S.3456 (Hoylman) / A.4282 (Glick)
The Climate Corporate Accountability Act (CCAA) is a bill that would require certain companies to disclose their full value chain GHG emissions. The bill would require companies that have contributed significantly to the buildup of greenhouse gases to bear a share of the costs of infrastructure investments required to adapt to the impacts of climate change in New York State.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act S.1464 (Harckham) / A.1749 (Glick)
This legislation would shift the responsibility for recycling packaging to the producers of those products. As drafted, the bill would classify franchised entities as producers, making them responsible for the recycling costs of any packaging materials that display their brand.
ADA Website Legislation (Cooney/Woerner)
This legislation would provide places of accommodation, resort, or amusement with a time to cure provisions of a website or mobile application, related to allegations of unlawful discriminatory practices with respect to visually and hearing-impaired individuals.
Parks Seeking Age Reduction for Ride Operators
NYSHTA is securing sponsors for a bill that would lower the age to operate any ride at an Amusement Park in New York State to 16. Many surrounding states already have a law in place to allow 16-year-olds to operate any ride, and with worker shortages continuing to be a challenge, this will allow for parks to be able to have more rides open to enhance the guest experience.
NY Privacy Act -NYSHTA’s Amendments Protect Member Rewards Programs
As drafted, the original bill would have had significant implications for hotels and their loyalty programs. The amended version, which passed the Senate, allows for these programs to operate, and provides customers with discounted pricing while being in compliance with the mandates outlined in the legislation.
Tip Credit (González-Rojas/Jackson)
This bill would end the lower minimum wage for tipped food service workers. Opponents argue this could reduce tips, undermining workers who rely on gratuities for higher earnings. Additionally, raising wages may lead to higher menu prices or smaller meal portions, potentially reducing customer demand and affecting business revenue.
Third-Party Hotel Booking Website Disclosures S.2394 (Persaud)
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring third-party accommodation reservation services to identify themselves as such to users and not levy certain cancellation fees.
