Committee advances bill allowing dynamic lodging pricing with a 20% cap

Senate Bill 418, as amended on the House side, was advanced by the Senate Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee after sponsor Jonathan Dismang described changes that lower allowable price increases to 20% and preserve certain dynamic-pricing and rental-reduction mechanisms.

Dismang said the House amendment "lowers the amount that can be that the increase can be to 20%" and noted the proposal allows for dynamic pricing in lodging and permits lowering prices to 50% for some rentals during low-attendance periods. Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, testified in favor, saying the change would help the department become more self-sustaining and responsive to market conditions.

After the brief presentation and supportive agency testimony, the committee moved to pass the bill as amended; the motion carried by voice vote. The amendment's 20% cap and the dynamic-pricing language will proceed with the bill to the next legislative step.