There are multiple key issues that will have a direct impact on lodging and dining establishments in 2020. The NHLRA is actively advocating on behalf of our members to ensure the industry's voice is heard and unwanted change does not occur.
MINIMUM WAGE: There are three bills that would increase the minimum wage. They range from increases to $10/hour all the way up to $15/hour. Two of them have been released. HB 178 and HB 186. Where it will finally end up is not known yet. Expect one thing though. The minimum wage will be increased this Session. The only question is to what level. One issue of particular concern is that one bill would increase the tip wage from 45% of the minimum wage (currently $3.27) to 60% of the minimum wage. If the minimum wage goes up to $10/hour and the tip wage is 60% of the minimum, the new tip wage would be $6.00/hour.
PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE: There are a couple bills that would establish a paid family and medical leave program. This issue almost passed last year and has become the Democratic legislature’s top priority. The bills would essentially require employers to offer employees paid leave for certain periods of time to take care of a medical issue for themselves or to help care for a family member that has a medical issue. Last year’s bill would have funded the program through a deduction from each employees weekly pay. This year the proposal is to have employers and employees share in the cost of the program by each chipping in 50% of the cost.
ALLOWING TOWNS TO ADOPT A LOCAL ROOMS TAX: House bill 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.
ALLOWING DOGS ON PATIOS: There are two bills that would allow dogs on patios. One bill is relative to allowing dogs on restaurant open-air patios and the second would allow dogs on brew pub patios.
Please contact the NHLRA with your legislative questions or concerns at info@nhlra.com or (603) 228-9585.
MINIMUM WAGE: There are three bills that would increase the minimum wage. They range from increases to $10/hour all the way up to $15/hour. Two of them have been released. HB 178 and HB 186. Where it will finally end up is not known yet. Expect one thing though. The minimum wage will be increased this Session. The only question is to what level. One issue of particular concern is that one bill would increase the tip wage from 45% of the minimum wage (currently $3.27) to 60% of the minimum wage. If the minimum wage goes up to $10/hour and the tip wage is 60% of the minimum, the new tip wage would be $6.00/hour.
PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE: There are a couple bills that would establish a paid family and medical leave program. This issue almost passed last year and has become the Democratic legislature’s top priority. The bills would essentially require employers to offer employees paid leave for certain periods of time to take care of a medical issue for themselves or to help care for a family member that has a medical issue. Last year’s bill would have funded the program through a deduction from each employees weekly pay. This year the proposal is to have employers and employees share in the cost of the program by each chipping in 50% of the cost.
ALLOWING TOWNS TO ADOPT A LOCAL ROOMS TAX: House bill 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.
ALLOWING DOGS ON PATIOS: There are two bills that would allow dogs on patios. One bill is relative to allowing dogs on restaurant open-air patios and the second would allow dogs on brew pub patios.
Please contact the NHLRA with your legislative questions or concerns at info@nhlra.com or (603) 228-9585.
