Legislative Update March 29, 2019

ALLOWING TOWNS TO ADOPT A LOCAL ROOMS TAX:  The House Ways & Means Committee has voted 12-8 to recommend passage of HB 641, 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.  The full House gave initial approval to the bill earlier this month on a vote of 194-151.  It plans to vote on it next Thursday, April 4.  NHLRA opposes this bill. 

ADVANCE NOTICE OF SCHEDULING:  The Senate voted re-refer SB 60 back to committee for further review.  This effectively halts any further vote on the bill for the remainder of the 2019 Session.  The bill would require employers with 15 or more employees to give hourly employees at least 2 weeks advance notice of their work schedules.

VAPING:  On Tuesday, April 2 the Senate Commerce Committee will hear HB 511, which would include vaping under the indoor smoking ban. 

TOURISM PROMOTION:  A subcommittee of the House Finance Committee has recommended to the full Committee that it keep the Governor’s proposed increase of $3 million per year in the state budget to promote NH as a destination spot.  $10.8 million would be appropriated each year.  This is the first time in a long time that a Governor has proposed funding tourism promotion at the statutory amount equaling 3.15% of the rooms and meals taxes collecting in the prior year.  This is a big victory for those in the tourism industry.  The full Finance Committee will vote on the budget next week. 
 
NHLRA GOES TO WASHINGTON:   NHLRA members Tom Boucher, Bill Greiner and Jay Bolduc of Great NH Restaurants, Mike McDonough of Fratello’s, and Sim Willey of Harts Turkey Farm flew to our nation’s Capitol this past week to meet with our Congressional delegation.  They covered topics such as restoring the 15-year depreciation schedule for qualifying restaurant property; the federal minimum wage; and immigration reform.  

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