The Financial Accountability Act that went before the Senate Finance Committee on April 10 and 11 will be resubmitted to the committee for consideration June 8 with a motion to break the 54-page bill into three bills.
The bill was never voted on in committee due to a protest by about 200 Main Street retailers and workers that took place in front of the Legislature Building on April 11. The group opposed a section of the bill that calls for a $2.50 per passenger head tax on cruise ship passengers in addition to the $7.50 in fees already charged.
The senators in session decided to table the bill until a meeting with retailers, cruise line officials and Chamber of Commerce members could be held.
But Sen. Lorraine Berry, committee chair, said Thursday the bill would be better understood if it were divided into three sections:
—- Fiscal policies.
—- Revenue enhancement.
—- Economic stimulus.
Berry said in a prepared statement that "perfecting amendments will be offered, following which the bills will be voted upon, reported out of committee and forwarded on to Rules."