Legislative Update January 17, 2020

ALLOWING TOWNS TO ADOPT A LOCAL ROOMS TAX:  On Wednesday, January 22 at 10:00 a.m. the House Municipal & County Government Committee will hear HB 1160, which would allow cities and towns to collect a daily charge of up to $2 per room containing occupied beds, or as a percentage of the price of the room, provided that the rate doesn’t exceed $2 per occupancy per 24-hour period.  NHLRA opposes this bill. 

ADDING THE SALE OF SKI TICKETS TO THE MEALS AND ROOMS TAX:  On Tuesday, January 21 at 1:00 pm, the House Ways & Means Committee will hear HB 1652, which would add the sale of ski tickets under the meals and rooms tax.  

FOOD ALLERGIES:  On Wednesday, January 22 at 11:00 am the House Commerce Committee will hear HB 1102, which would require food service establishments to include on all menus and menu boards a notice to customers of the customers obligation to inform their server of of his or her food allergies.  It also directs the Department of Health & Human Services to develop a voluntary program for food service establishments to receive a designation as “food allergy friendly” and maintain such list on the Department’s website.  Finally, it would require food service establishments to have a person in charge at all times of operation trained and certified as a food protection manager.  This last provision is already a requirement of the new food code.  NHLRA is going to raise a few concerns with the bill.

SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAGS, CUPS AND STRAWS:  On Thursday, January 23 the House Commerce Committee will hear two bills related to plastic bags, cups and straws.  HB 1472 will prohibit food service establishments from providing a single use plastic straw to a customer unless specifically requested.  HB 1194 would permit any merchant to charge $.05 per single use plastic cup and bag to discourage the use of them and encourage the use of reusable ones.  Single use bags used for bulk items or to prevent leaking of food items would be exempt. 

LIMITING THE USE OF PAPER RECEIPTS:  On Thursday, January 23 the House Commerce Committee will hear HB 1508, which would require a business to provide a customer with proof of purchase only at the customers’ option.  No business could print a paper receipt unless the customer asks for one.  No paper receipt printed by a business could contain bisphenol A or bisphenol S. 

 Contact the NHLRA with your legislative questions or concerns at 603-228-9585 or info@nhlra.com.