Additionally, 19 pieces of legislation dealing with bed bugs, pest infestation and taxes saw activity in the last week.  To access the full piece of legislation, click on the bill name and number.  

Bed Bugs/Pest Infestation       

FL H.B. 77       Landlords and Tenants; Revises exclusions from applicability of Florida Residential Landlord & Tenant Act; provides that right to attorney fees may not be waived in lease agreement; provides that attorney fees may not be awarded in claim for personal injury damages based on breach of duty of premises maintenance; revises & provides certain landlord disclosure requirements; provides requirements for disbursement of advance rents; provides limited rebuttable presumption of receipt of security deposits; revises landlord's obligation to maintain premises with respect to screens; revises procedures for termination of rental agreement by landlord; provides that landlord does not waive right to terminate rental agreement or to bring civil action for noncompliance by accepting partial rent; provides period to institute action before exemption involving rent subsidies is waived begins upon actual knowledge; revises requirements for termination of tenancy with specific duration; provides conduct for which landlord may not retaliate; provides that landlords & mobile home park owners must be given opportunity to cure deficiency in any notice or pleadings before dismissal of eviction action.

NH H.B. 482     This bill addresses landlord, tenant, and municipality responsibility for bed bug infestations.

NY A.B. 1549   Permits a landlord to inspect dwellings and exterminate bedbug infestations upon reasonable notice.

Taxes             

IL S.B. 1859     Amends the Counties Code. Authorizes Winnebago County by ordinance to impose, with the consent of the municipalities representing 67% of the population of Winnebago County, hotel operators' occupation tax at a rate not to exceed 2% of the gross rental receipts from the renting, leasing, or letting. Sets forth requirements concerning the use of any revenues from the tax proceeds. Creates a Tourism Facility Board with weighted voting rights; requires the Board to meet not less than once per year to direct the use of revenues from the tax. Provides that any sports, arts, or entertainment facilities that receive revenue from certain taxes shall be considered to be public works within the meaning of the Prevailing Wage Act, and the county authorities responsible for the construction, renovation, modification, or alteration of the sports, arts, or entertainment facilities shall enter into project labor agreements with labor organizations. Effective immediately.

NY A.B. 1234   Authorizes the town of Greenburgh, specified villages therein, and the village of Sleepy Hollow in the town of Mount Pleasant to adopt a local law to impose a 3% hotel/motel occupancy tax.

NY A.B. 6828   Imposes an occupancy tax in the town of North Castle.

NY A.B. 6829   Imposes an occupancy tax in the village of Harrison.

NY A.B. 7134   Imposes an occupancy tax in the city of Yonkers.

NY A.B. 7628   Authorizes the town of Woodbury, Orange county, to impose, by local law, a tax on hotel and motel occupancy of up to five percent of the charge therefor.

TX H.B. 1908   Relating to sports and community venue projects. Includes ballot measure language for a hotel occupancy tax to be used for financing of any such projects.

TX H.B. 3042   Relating to the allocation of state hotel occupancy tax revenue to certain municipalities for cleaning and maintenance of and erosion control for public beaches.

TX H.B. 3296   Relating to the rates of municipal and county hotel occupancy taxes in certain municipalities and counties and the use of certain revenue from those taxes; changing the rates of taxes.

TX H.B. 3337   Relating to the authority of certain counties to impose a county hotel occupancy tax.

TX H.B. 3643   Relating to the allocation of revenue from the municipal hotel occupancy tax for the arts for certain municipalities.

TX H.B. 3860   Relating to the creation of the Generation Park Management District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, or taxes.

TX S.B. 551     Relating to the use of municipal hotel occupancy tax revenue to enhance and upgrade sports facilities in certain municipalities.

TX S.B. 585     Relating to the use of municipal hotel occupancy tax revenue to enhance and upgrade sports facilities in certain municipalities.

TX S.B. 1585   Relating to the authority of certain counties to impose a hotel occupancy tax for the operation and maintenance of a fairground, county barn, and county park in the county.

TX S.B. 1833   Relating to the rate of the hotel occupancy tax in certain counties.

New Canadian Housing Law

NEW: Ontario Bill Number 82   An Act to amend the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 to extend rules governing rent increases to certain types of rental units

Bed Bugs/Pest Infestation       

CT S.B. 952           To establish landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities regarding bed bug infestations in rental housing.

FL H.B. 77             Landlords and Tenants; Revises exclusions from applicability of Florida Residential Landlord & Tenant Act; provides that right to attorney fees may not be waived in lease agreement; provides that attorney fees may not be awarded in claim for personal injury damages based on breach of duty of premises maintenance; revises & provides certain landlord disclosure requirements; provides requirements for disbursement of advance rents; provides limited rebuttable presumption of receipt of security deposits; revises landlord's obligation to maintain premises with respect to screens; revises procedures for termination of rental agreement by landlord; provides that landlord does not waive right to terminate rental agreement or to bring civil action for noncompliance by accepting partial rent; provides period to institute action before exemption involving rent subsidies is waived begins upon actual knowledge; revises requirements for termination of tenancy with specific duration; provides conduct for which landlord may not retaliate; provides that landlords & mobile home park owners must be given opportunity to cure deficiency in any notice or pleadings before dismissal of eviction action.

NY A.B. 1549         Permits a landlord to inspect dwellings and exterminate bedbug infestations upon reasonable notice.

Taxes                    

LA H.B. 106           TOURISM/COMMISSION:  Authorizes the Houma Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to levy an additional hotel occupancy tax

LA H.B. 326           TAX/HOTEL OCCUPANCY: AUTHORIZES THE CITY OF YOUNGSVILLE TO LEVY A HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX

NY A.B. 7134         Imposes an occupancy tax in the city of Yonkers.

NC H.B. 529           AN ACT to authorize Edgecombe County to levy an occupancy tax.

NC H.B. 545           AN ACT to modify the Henderson county occupancy tax.

NC H.B. 553           AN ACT to modify Carteret county's authority to levy an additional one percent room occupancy and tourism development tax and to modify the distribution of the proceeds of the tax.

Other Activity Happening in Various States

CT - Connecticut lawmakers gave final approval to $2 billion in state bonds to cover various projects and adjourned the 2013 session die on Wednesday, June 5.
http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-legislature-last-day-0606-20130604,0,1426781.story

IL - Gov. Pat Quinn (D) on Thursday ordered lawmakers to return to the Capitol for a special session beginning June 19 on pension reform, which failed to pass during the regular session that adjourned May 31.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/clout/chi-quinn-calls-lawmakers-into-special-session-on-pension-reform-20130606,0,1372390.story

LA - The legislature adjourned sine die on Thursday, June 6, having passed the state budget with nearly unanimous support on the session's final day.
http://theadvocate.com/news/legislature/6182756-63/session-ends-budget-okd

ME - The Joint Appropriations Committee passed out the state budget bill early Saturday after several marathon meeting days last week. The full House and Senate are expected to vote on the bipartisan plan later this week, which will need 2/3 support in both chambers to override Gov. Paul LePage's (R) veto threat.
http://bangordailynews.com/2013/06/08/politics/state-house/lawmakers-work-late-into-night-finalizing-budget-as-lepage-veto-threat-looms/

NE - The Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die Wednesday. Senators put off until next year debates over tax policy, Medicaid expansion, and the death penalty.
http://journalstar.com/news/local/lawmakers-leave-meaty-issues-on-table/article_7ceae2d8-43e4-5c83-98ff-2f757c7553fc.html

SC - The 2013 regular session adjourned Thursday, but lawmakers will be back for a three-day special session on the budget beginning June 18. Ethics legislation and other top priorities from this session will be carried over to 2014.
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20130607/WIRE/130609826/1083/ARTICLES?Title=SC-s-2013-legislative-session-ending-with-much-left-undone

WA - Lawmakers could be headed for a second 30-day special session unless the House and Senate can reach a budget agreement before the first special session ends Tuesday.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/06/09/2631294/senate-wants-reforms-while-house.html

Michael Stern, ExecSuites, Managing Director announced the following members as part of the 2013 – 2015 Advisory Group.

• Elle Crane, CCHP, Oakwood, Director, Development
• Tammy Graham, Premiere Executive Suites, Director, Awareness
• David Zaltzman, CCHP, Minto Furnished Suites, Director, Engagement

Together, they will drive the strategic initiatives for Canadian members focusing on:

1. Member Engagement at Canadian events
2. Industry Awareness for Canadian audiences
3. Development of New Members in Canada

Canadian member companies support Canadian-specific initiatives by contributing financially to these efforts in addition to their CHPA Association dues.  These resources are earmarked for Canadian initiatives only and overseen by the Canadian Advisory Group to ensure effective use.

The CHPA Board of Directors is the governing board for the entire Association, overseeing overall member program and services for all CHPA member companies globally.  All CHPA members, including international members, are eligible for election to the Board of Directors, including international members.  The CHPA Board of Directors has three-year terms and the nominations process occurs in late fall or early winter each year.  If you are interested in a Board position, please submit a nomination form during the call for nominations process.   The Canadian Managing Director is invited to CHPA Board strategic meetings to ensure that Canadian initiatives for members align with CHPA’s overall mission and goals.

In addition to elected Directors from and by the membership, there are four validated positions on the Board of Directors. These positions are established by validating that they are one of the four active members with the greatest monthly average leased unit count. The composition of the CHPA Board of Directors is outlined in the Bylaws as follows:

Article VI – Board of Directors, Section 1. Composition of the CHPA Bylaws require that: The Association Board of Directors shall consist of no less than ten (10) individuals (including Officers); four (4) directors representing the four active members with the greatest monthly average leased unit count, calculated on an annual basis; up to one additional director affiliated with, but not employed by, each of the largest four active members; one (1) associate member director with the right to vote and the remaining directors shall be elected by the members of the Association eligible to vote. Member companies with the greatest annual unit count will be validated through a process identified by the Board of Directors. Validation will occur every three years.

It is important to note that as part of validation, data contributed to The Highland Group is used to determine unit count. If a company does not contribute data to The Highland Group as part of the annual Corporate Housing Industry Report, then they are not eligible for a validated Board of Director seat. Read the entire validation process. Since 2008, The Highland Group has reported the top ten corporate housing companies with the greatest monthly average leased unit count, calculated on an annual basis as part of the corporate housing industry survey process. This information is provided each year to the CHPA CEO. To determine member companies eligible for any open validated position, the CHPA Board of Directors approved using the last two years’ reported information.  Currently, the validated Board positions are held by BridgeStreet, National Corporate Housing, Oakwood, and Suite America.

CHPA members have always come together in the wake of tragedy.  Whether it is forest fires in California, tornadoes in the Midwest, hurricanes and flooding on the coasts or bombings in Boston, CHPA members care and show support for those suffering and for colleagues needing assistance. With the most recent disasters, the CHPA Board of Directors recognized that the Association needed a formal policy so that CHPA can respond quickly to help those impacted.

The new Member Assistance policy allows the Association to communicate quickly and effectively with member companies to offer help or ask for assistance for members in need. With this policy, CHPA wants to let all members know that the Association stands at the ready to help spread the word and organize assistance efforts when possible. When disaster strikes, the process for member assistance is outlined below:

1. A representative from the member company in need contacts the CHPA Office.
2. CHPA gets information about specific needs, time frame, and main contact for more information or to offer assistance.
3. CHPA communicates the need to all CHPA members, including e-Newsletter, social media and a direct email request.
4. CHPA will link to any official updates to keep members informed of their support and for follow purposes.

Please know that your CHPA colleagues are ready to support you in your time of need. While we wish these unfortunate situations did not happen, we know the reality is that they do and the Association is your resource -- in good times and in bad.

Bed Bugs/Pest Infestation       

CT S.B. 952        To establish landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities regarding bed bug infestations in rental housing.

FL H.B. 77          Landlords and Tenants; Revises exclusions from applicability of Florida Residential Landlord & Tenant Act; provides that right to attorney fees may not be waived in lease agreement; provides that attorney fees may not be awarded in claim for personal injury damages based on breach of duty of premises maintenance; revises & provides certain landlord disclosure requirements; provides requirements for disbursement of advance rents; provides limited rebuttable presumption of receipt of security deposits; revises landlord's obligation to maintain premises with respect to screens; revises procedures for termination of rental agreement by landlord; provides that landlord does not waive right to terminate rental agreement or to bring civil action for noncompliance by accepting partial rent; provides period to institute action before exemption involving rent subsidies is waived begins upon actual knowledge; revises requirements for termination of tenancy with specific duration; provides conduct for which landlord may not retaliate; provides that landlords & mobile home park owners must be given opportunity to cure deficiency in any notice or pleadings before dismissal of eviction action.

Taxes                     

NEW: NY A.B. 7628       Authorizes the town of Woodbury, Orange county, to impose, by local law, a tax on hotel and motel occupancy of up to five percent of the charge therefor.

AL H.B. 344        Madison Co., lodging tax, termination date deleted, Act 2004-418, 2004 Reg. Sess., am'd.

LA H.B. 106        TOURISM/COMMISSION:  Authorizes the Houma Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to levy an additional hotel occupancy tax

LA H.B. 326        TAX/HOTEL OCCUPANCY: AUTHORIZES THE CITY OF YOUNGSVILLE TO LEVY A HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX

MO S.B. 99         Modifies provisions relating to elections, printing of the official state manual, and tax ballot issues. As enrolled, May 14, contains provisions allowing for a transient hotel or motel guest tax of not more than six tenths of one percent, if approved by voters of the city or county.

NV S.B. 509        Revises provisions governing taxes on transient lodging. (BDR S-1198)

NC H.B. 545        AN ACT to modify the henderson county occupancy tax.

NC H.B. 553        AN ACT to modify carteret county's authority to levy an additional one percent room occupancy and tourism development tax and to modify the distribution of the proceeds of the tax.