Muncipalities in Door County are applauding efforts to make it easier to collect room tax dollars from lodging marketplace businesses like Airbnb and Vrbo. Introduced by Rep. Joel Kitchens, Assembly Bill 683 would require those entities to include more than just a zip code when it comes to filing their tax returns. That is important for towns like Liberty Grove, which covers a large amount of area but under the current state law sees much of the tax money collected go solely to the Village of Sister Bay because the two share a zip code. Liberty Grove Chairperson John Lowry says room tax dollars provide important funding for the town. 

The bill would also fine lodging marketplace businesses up to $45,000 a year if they do not submit the required paperwork. Members of the Door County Tourism Zone testified in front of members of the Wisconsin Legislature earlier this month.