Louisiana representative Henry Burns filed legislation that would allow the Shreveport-Bossier Convention Tourist Bureau to institute an additional 2.5% hotel-motel tax.

The bill states that the Bureau should dedicate and use the proceeds from three quarters of 1% of the tax for capital improvements, repairs and maintenance of Independence Stadium.

It also says that the Bureau should use up to one half of the proceeds for the operation and promotion of sporting goals and sporting activities as it relates to sports tourism within the jurisdiction of the Bureau.

The present law provides that the maximum hotel occupancy tax that the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Commission may levy at 4.5%. The proposed law would increase the max hotel occupancy tax to 7%.

In 2012, the sports commission lost out on a potential funding source when the Louisiana legislature went against an idea to take money from the state’s riverboat fund.

"I just hate to see us keep losing the sports venues to other places that are able to provide better funding" says Louisiana Representative Henry Burns.

Burns says that this tax will allow them to legally raise the tax and funding but all four area governments have to agree to the bill.

"I'm really trying to save the Independence Bowl and get the ball rolling here. My bill is giving an option to be considered by the governing bodies to raise capital and revenue “ says Burns.

The bill probably won't even be heard until a month into the Louisiana Legislative Session so it could take several months before any decision is made.

Click here to review the bill.