Senate committee passes Sun Life Stadium bill

Voters to decide Sun Life Stadium deal May 14

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Senate Appropriation Committee passed a bill authorizing a sales tax rebate for the Miami Dolphins to help pay for renovations at Sun Life Stadium.

The bill also raises the hotel bed tax in mainland Miami-Dade County by one percent, if voters agree to the raise in a local referendum on May 14.

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The Dolphins have also offered to pay the county and the state back the money it receives from the sales tax rebate of $3 million a year for 30 years.

"We look forward to continuing to work with our bill sponsors and the leadership as the bill works its way through the Legislature and to the governor's desk," Dolphins CEO Mike Dee said in a statement.

The 30-year economic development grant struck between Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and the Dolphins includes a non-relocation agreement.

The Dolphins say that their 25-year-old stadium needs at least $350 million in improvements to remain competitive with newer stadiums around the NFL. In its deal with the county, the team will pay 70 percent of the cost.

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The Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers, who will move into a new stadium next year, are vying for Super Bowl L in 2016.  The loser will compete against the Houston Texans to host Super Bowl LI in 2017.

NFL team owners will announce the locations of Super Bowls L and LI on May 22 in Boston.