HB 490: Crimes and offenses; required human trafficking training program for hotels; provide

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Discussed in meetings (11)

The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.

1. House Economic Development & Tourism Committee, January 29, 2026

   From 0:16:29 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented a revised substitute requiring hotel human trafficking training, with dates updated to 2026. The sponsor cited a mayor's allegations that hotel operators ignored trafficking for kickbacks. Asked about size limits and proving knowledge, the sponsor said all hotel sizes would be covered and training would establish what staff should recognize and report. A Hotel and Lodging Association witness estimated 95% of hotel employees were trained. The sponsor and witness described planned changes giving the attorney general responsibility, adding financial penalties, and covering short-term rentals and hotline signs. The witness recalled proposed penalties of $500, $1,000 and $2,000. Members questioned training verification; the sponsor said completion must be reported, and the witness said owners would retain records for one year after an employee leaves. The sponsor said training would be free. Members asked about airlines, Airbnb properties and state parks. The sponsor described airline collaboration; state-park coverage remained unresolved. Two members questioned liability and burdens for hosts without guest contact; one suggested exempting small operators. The sponsor suggested cleaners could recognize warning signs. Another member suggested accepting existing third-party training. No amendment or vote occurred. The chair requested clearer rental, signage and state-park provisions for the next hearing. A member also suggested a later screening of an anti-trafficking public-service announcement.

2. House Economic Development & Tourism Committee, February 12, 2026

   From 0:21:06 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair said a substitute for HB 490, described as a human trafficking bill, was being prepared. The chair said the proposed language was intended to increase local police involvement concerning third-party administrators of short-term rentals. While waiting for the language, the committee briefly paused. The chair then postponed consideration without objection, saying clarifying language would be discussed the following week. At adjournment, the chair confirmed that the substitute would be taken up then. No substitute was presented or voted on during this meeting.

3. House Economic Development & Tourism Committee, February 19, 2026

   From 0:18:03 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented a substitute addressing human-trafficking prevention training. A lodging-industry witness said the latest change included short-term rental platforms in approving training and that the industry's No Room for Trafficking campaign had trained over 2.5 million employees. The witness urged action ahead of the World Cup. Asked who must train, the witness initially said homeowners and expressed hope that training would also reach cleaners and management-company staff. A representative for Airbnb said hosts, not guests, would have the obligation, with training links delivered through platforms. Asked about enforcement, the representative identified the Attorney General's Office and described penalties of $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 and up for subsequent violations. Another committee member challenged that explanation, pointing to an exemption for properties managed directly and exclusively by owners without third-party management. The member supported requiring commercial property managers to train but opposed placing that burden on self-managing homeowners. After a recess and discussion of possible wording changes, the sponsor and member agreed that the existing exemption reflected that intent and that the earlier verbal explanation had caused confusion. No amendment was adopted. The committee passed the bill by voice vote and sent it to Rules; no vote count was stated.

4. House Rules Committee, February 23, 2026

   From 0:21:44 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 490 would require human trafficking awareness training for inns and third-party-managed short-term rental properties, with reporting requirements, records and penalties. The sponsor said hospitality industry participants and the attorney general's office supported the bill. A committee member asked whether occasional rentals, such as a vacation home rented one week a year, would be covered. The sponsor said the requirement would not apply unless a third-party management service was used. The member asked for clarification of that term, including whether a relative managing a property would count. The sponsor agreed to provide more information and said the committee had addressed similar questions.

5. House Rules Committee, February 26, 2026

   From 0:29:41 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair requested a motion to return HB 490 to the Economic Development and Tourism Committee. After a motion and second, an objection prompted a voice vote. Both support and opposition were heard, and the chair declared that the motion passed. The bill’s substance was not discussed.

6. House Economic Development & Tourism Committee, March 2, 2026

   From 0:24:50 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented a revised substitute to HB 490, saying industry participants had opportunities to suggest changes. The sponsor said the substitute identifies the Office of the Attorney General as the responsible department and adjusts training exclusions to avoid burdening small operators. The sponsor described an exclusion for agencies or entities used for fewer than 15 days, with responsibility applying beyond 15 days. A witness for the Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association supported the legislation but cautioned that the exclusion could appear to exempt the Masters tournament. The witness said they believed the language came from a federal income-tax exemption associated with that event and urged further refinement. A committee member described an incident in which three hotel guests were accosted and expressed concern that no one came to their aid. The witness said the industry wanted employees trained in trafficking prevention, safety and security, including ahead of the FIFA World Cup. A member moved to approve the substitute, and another member seconded. The committee approved it by voice vote and advanced it to the Rules Committee; no vote count was stated.

7. House Rules Committee, March 4, 2026

   From 0:39:28 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 490 would train hotel staff to recognize human trafficking, improve reporting and strengthen cooperation with law enforcement. The sponsor said affected groups had participated in revisions and supported the bill, including the attorney general's office. Later, the committee voted by voice to return the bill to Economic Development and Tourism despite an objection. No vote count was stated. Asked whether the author requested the return, the chair said a Rules Committee member had requested it.

8. House Economic Development & Tourism Committee, March 5, 2026

   From 0:17:10 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair brought back HB 490 to correct the committee's selection of a substitute at the previous hearing. The chair said two substitutes had been submitted and the wrong one had been selected. The corrected version, LC33-9887S, included a change concerning short-term rentals beginning on line 85, but the details of that change were not explained. The bill's sponsor thanked members for continuing to work on the proposal and said it was needed to protect young people from human trafficking, which the sponsor described as widespread throughout Georgia. The chair also said the bill would help address human trafficking. No substantive questions or further amendments were offered. After a motion and second, the committee approved the corrected substitute by voice vote, with no opposition heard.

• Read aloud: House floor session, February 20, 2026 (legislative day 22), 0:46:35
• Read aloud: House floor session, March 3, 2026 (legislative day 26, AM), 0:47:42
• Read aloud: House floor session, March 6, 2026 (legislative day 28, AM), 1:07:37

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