Local fee for hotels and motels?

The New Hampshire Senate is considering a bill that would allow municipalities to add a fee, up to $1 per night, for hotel and motel rooms.

Sen. Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth) was asked by Portsmouth city officials to sponsor the bill.  They argue the fee will help off-set the costs of police, fire and public works related to hotels and tourists.

Fuller Clark's bill is an alternative to proposals that would redistribute more meals and rooms tax revenues to cities with lots of tourist activity.  Right now meals and rooms tax revenues are shared between all municipalities based on population.

However, Fuller Clark's bill has the opposition of some hotel owners who see the fee as a backdoor way to increase the already high meals and rooms tax.

"Essentially we're trying to stick it to the tourists," said Dan Innis, co- owner of Hotel Portsmouth.