RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The Virginia Senate has approved legislation that would recognize and regulate short-term rental websites like Airbnb. The measure allows Virginia homeowners to rent out all or part of their homes and establish procedures for the rental websites to pay local taxes. Supporters of the measure, including Airbnb, said short-term rentals were already operating in the Virginia and the legislation would help boost tax revenue. Opponents of the measure said it would improperly usurp power from local governments to regulate short-term rental companies, while also hurting the state’s hospitality industry. A similar measure has already passed the House.
