INDIANAPOLIS – A local government committee unanimously endorsed a bill that would allow local governments to regulate a small segment of short-term rentals.
But it doesn't contain language requiring these rentals to collect applicable sales and innkeepers' taxes.
A group of lawmakers drilled down into the issue during the summer and found that short-term rental hosts and platforms acknowledge that certain taxes are owed for the short-term rentals.
But Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne, didn't put any tax language into House Bill 1035. Instead he pointed to Senate legislation with the tax sections.
Those bills, though, have been grounded in Senate rules because Senate legislation generally isn't allowed to be used for revenue-raising measures. Instead they must start in the House.
The base bill sailed out of committee Tuesday, but several members said they still want to see the tax issue addressed.
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