Authorizing county commissions to impose a county-wide emergency services fee on hotel stays.

HB 5494 proposes allowing West Virginia counties to charge a $5-per-night fee on hotel stays (including motels, vacation rentals, and short-term leases) to fund local emergency services. County commissions would set the exact fee amount (up to $5/night), and hotels, operators, and online booking platforms would collect and remit the fee. Proceeds must be used exclusively for emergency medical services, fire protection, law enforcement, and 911 operations. The bill defines "hotel" broadly to cover all temporary lodging under 30 days, ensuring the fee applies to both traditional hotels and platforms like Airbnb.