The state Senate voted Thursday to grant tax rebates to the organizers of Bayou Country Superfest.
The legislation now goes to the Louisiana House for debate.
Senate Bill 475 by state Sen. Yvonne Dorsey-Colomb, D-Baton Rouge, would create a state and local sales tax rebate for events held in certain public facilities.
Dorsey-Colomb said the bill is aimed specifically at keeping the concert at LSU’s Tiger Stadium. It is scheduled to be held over the Memorial Day weekend of May 26 and 27.
Past concerts have drawn Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift and the Zac Brown Band.
John Carpenter, chief administrative officer for Mayor-President Kip Holden, has said allowing a rebate for ticket sales and parking charges would create an incentive for the producer to stage a high-quality show.
To qualify for the rebate, average attendance would have to be at least 25,000.
Tickets to next month’s event range from $50 to $250 per day.
Carpenter said other states are trying to lure the concert away from Baton Rouge.
The Legislative Fiscal Office estimates the rebate would result in an annual loss of $675,000 in state and local government revenue.
