Comité Economic Development & Tourism de la Cámara de Representantes, 29 de enero de 2026

Transcripción

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1. 0:09:35

   Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming to the first meeting this, this year, the second year in the term, um, for the Economic Development and Tourism Committee. Um, I didn't ask you, but if, um, would you do us an opening prayer?

2. 0:09:49

   Sure.

3. 0:09:52

   Lord, just thank you for who you are and the way you take care of us. Um, and I just pray that you guide us in this meeting and guide us, uh, to make the right decisions and wise decisions for the state of Georgia. Lord, allow us to be able to hear your voice very clearly, and give us the courage to follow it. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

4. 0:10:07

   Amen.

5. 0:10:08

   Amen.

6. 0:10:08

   I wanna introduce our newest member. Akbar, why don't you tell us about yourself? What... I think you're number nine.

7. 0:10:14

   I think he's 18.

8. 0:10:15

   Yep. Uh, I believe so. So, uh, hey, all. Uh, my name is State Representative Akbar Ali. As, uh, you may... As it was just said, uh, I'm the newest member of this committee. Uh, thank you so much for being here. I'm very grateful to be a part of this process. Thank you.

9. 0:10:28

   Good. Thank you. All the rest of us I think are old hands, maybe, that have been here for a day or two. Uh, some more than others. Uh, we're gonna have two bills to hear from today, and the first up is gonna be, uh, House Bill 980. Um, and I believe, Representative Bonner, are you number two?

10. 0:10:48

    I am.

11. 0:10:48

    Yes, sir. You have the floor.

12. 0:10:50

    Great. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, members of the committee. Appreciate the opportunity to present House Bill 980. Uh, this legislation creates the Georgia-Ireland Trade Commission. Um, this will allow us at the state level to, uh, deal directly with the country of Ireland. Uh, as many of you know, Ireland is a significant trading partner, not only of the US, but also here in Georgia. We've got o- over 43 companies, Irish companies, that operate here in Georgia that employ over 4,100 people all across the state.

13. 0:11:21

    Um, and what this bill does is create a, this commission to allow us to go direct to, uh, Ireland at the state level. Um, as many of you know, when, uh, Great Britain, uh, withdrew from Brexit, that kind of, uh, limited, uh, some of our access to the EU. Now, what this does is allow us, uh, since Ireland is still a part of the EU, this allows us to deal with the, the, um, the largest English-speaking country as a part of the EU, and access directly to those markets, which is very significant for us.

14. 0:11:55

    And as you know, not only our country, but the state of Georgia's got a long history and relationship with the country of Ireland. Uh, couple of years ago, um, there, there was a group, uh, a group of legislators that went over, about 24 of us went over to Ireland, uh, as a part of the, when Georgia Tech played in the football game over there, and had an opportunity to travel around, um, meet the business leaders and government leaders over there, uh, and really, uh, get a good feel for the Irish people and the business climate that they provide over there.

15. 0:12:26

    And, and we're incredibly impressed, and have, uh, kind of a... That was the, a bit of the impetus for this. This is an effort nationwide. So far there's 20 states that have adopted the same legislation and created these commissions, and there's another pen- another 20 that are pending, uh, here this year. So we hope to add Georgia to that list. Um, kind of the mechanics of it, it's a, it's a 15-member commission, and it allows appointments by the speaker of the house, by the senate, and by the governor. Um, those, those rotate, and the schedule is in there as to that.

16. 0:13:02

    There's no cost to the state. We do create a fund, uh, that would, uh, allow money to be collected, uh, through private donations, uh, that would cover the cost of any, anything related to the commission. So there's no cost directly to the state of Georgia, um, uh, but this would provide a great opportunity, uh, for Georgia to deal directly with the country of Ireland for purposes of economic development. Uh, with that, Mr. Chairman, I'll be happy to entertain any questions.

17. 0:13:29

    Questions on committee. Yes, ma'am. What number are you on that? Four? Eight?

18. 0:13:33

    Eight.

19. 0:13:33

    Eight. Okay.

20. 0:13:35

    Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, Representative, for, uh, bringing this legislation. So as an accountant, you know I've got a money question.

21. 0:13:42

    Okay.

22. 0:13:43

    So understanding that, um, individuals or corporations can make donations, will they set up a 501[c][3], or would those donations come to the state? Would it be held in a separate fund? And who would be responsible for dispersing-

23. 0:13:57

    Sure. So if you look on, uh, line 66, that's where it begins to talk about the establishment of that. That just, uh, enables the treasurer to establish a separate trust fund, uh, for that purpose. And it goes in a little detail there. It, uh, it, which is not similar to other situations that exist in code. Thank you for that question.

24. 0:14:20

    Other members? Yes, ma'am.

25. 0:14:24

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to my colleague for bringing this bill in. I have to say that, um, we definitely see the need for it, and I appreciate it. And the trip to Ireland was fantastic, and so I think we do need to have that partnership with the, with them. So thank you for that.

26. 0:14:46

    Absolutely. Thank you.

27. 0:14:49

    Uh, other questions?

28. 0:14:51

    Make it a appropriate time.

29. 0:14:53

    I think you can go ahead.

30. 0:14:54

    We're getting close.

31. 0:14:55

    Yes, you did.

32. 0:14:56

    Uh, as a, as a Irishman myself, um, representing the Georgia Ports Authority, the fastest growing in the country, um, I will recognize you for that, um, for that motion.

33. 0:15:09

    Well, thank you. And my husband, before he passed away, told my children that they had Irish in their blood. So I feel, hey, so ... So I would like to, uh, move that we do pass House Bill 980 in LC 590190.

34. 0:15:26

    We have a motion. Is there a second?

35. 0:15:27

    Second.

36. 0:15:29

    All those in favor of the motion, um, seconded by Manny, um, will say aye.

37. 0:15:35

    Aye.

38. 0:15:36

    All those opposed. Moves on to rules. Thank you so much.

39. 0:15:40

    Thanks.

40. 0:15:40

    Representative Bonner.

41. 0:15:41

    Thank you.

42. 0:15:44

    Second bill. And ladies and gentlemen, so that we're... I think we've got a full house now. We're gonna move on to the second bill with a hearing. And this might look familiar to you. We've g- we may have some tweaks, uh, as we move along. We will have a meeting next week. Uh, I think Tyler Perry's gonna supply us lunch next week. I apologize for-

43. 0:16:02

    Tyler Perry Studio.

44. 0:16:03

    St- excuse me, Tyler Perry Studio. Well, maybe we can get Tyler here. I don't know. But, uh, but speaking of that, as we get through this next bill, we wanna get through in time for those of you that are going down to the studio in Doraville, that you've got time to do that as well. Um, tourism is, is a pretty big deal, and it's tied directly to, uh, to the film industry. So thank you, um, to the Tyler Perry Studios and all they do. Um, moving on to House Bill 490. Representative Bazemore, you have the floor.

45. 0:16:34

    Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so first and foremost, the LC number that you all have the copy is the copy from last year. And so we just got the new, um, revised one. It is LC 590283S. And copies are coming.

46. 0:17:02

    Oh, okay.

47. 0:17:02

    Um, so basically, what has changed in there is really the dates, um, because the dates were relevant to last year. So the dates were changed to reflect 2026. Um, this bill, House Bill 490, is to amend Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia ana- an- annotated, uh, relating to kidnapping, false imprisonment, and related offenses so as to provide for a required human trafficking training program for hotels, to provide for definitions, to provide for retraining, to provide for penalties, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

48. 0:17:54

    And I don't know if you remember from last year what we discussed and why this bill was brought. Um, and I'm just gonna give you a little backstory quickly that, um, I had hosted the First Lady several times down in my district because it was close, close to the busiest airport in the world and over 30 hotels, and so it was necessary. And as we sat there, I had the mayors, I had ele- uh, elected officials and law enforcement and the First Lady in the room, and one of the mayors stated that he knew that the hotel owners and those that worked there were turning a blind eye, blind's eye.

49. 0:18:37

    They were getting kickbacks. So this is how this came about because I had urged him, because it was his city, "You have to do something so that we can, you can help us rectify this problem with human trafficking." Um, and so as you look o- look this over, it is, again, relating to the kidnapping, false imprisonment, and related offenses. And this is a new code section to be read as follows if you read through. And then, um, some changes that are gonna be made if you look on page two, number 21 to 26.

50. 0:19:18

    And so instead of, from my understanding, the, having the GBI, we want the Attorney General. We wanna put as many, as much force and teeth in this, in this legislation to make sure that we help to eradicate human trafficking, 'cause we do know that it affects our economy, and that's why we're hearing this in this, um, in this committee today. Um, and then you see at the bottom where we talk about what the repercussions are gonna be to those individuals that willfully or should have known that this was being com- um, orchestrated in their, um, hotels.

51. 0:20:03

    And if they knew about it, then they would be guilty of a misdemeanor. But we are going to make that even more stringent, um, to have more, um, teeth in this piece of legislation. So-

52. 0:20:18

    And human trafficking, just to make sure everybody remembers, we saw this last year. We perfected the language through about three committees.

53. 0:20:25

    Mm-hmm.

54. 0:20:26

    Um, three committee hearings, as I recall, and it, we ran out of time. So-

55. 0:20:31

    Mm-hmm

56. 0:20:31

    ... this is not something that we've, um, we haven't seen before, and we definitely want to... There's not a committee member here that's for human trafficking. I'm-

57. 0:20:38

    Mm-hmm

58. 0:20:39

    ... uh, I'm sure. Um, but we need to do this process again, and, um, and hopefully we can get this stuff, this stuff done without any unintended consequences. Um, who's number three? Is that you, Teddy?

59. 0:20:52

    No.

60. 0:20:52

    Yes, sir.

61. 0:20:54

    Thank you. Thank you. Um, thank you for bringing this bill. I love the heart behind it. I just have, and I, I wanna see, um, us do something with it. So, but I, I just kinda wanna get the, um, maybe get around, my head wrapped around the details of it. So is there a, um, is this for every single hotel, motel, i- no matter the size? Or is there a size limit with it?

62. 0:21:14

    There's not a size limit indicated on here because if you do look at the hotels that do, are established over in the College Park area, the 30, over 30 that I talked about, they are different sizes.

63. 0:21:28

    Mm-hmm.

64. 0:21:29

    Those individuals take advantage of that, and because it's closest to that, um, airport Ms. Bazemore, can you speak into the mic? Sure. I'm sorry. Okay. And so I don't think, um, size is necessary because it comes in different sizes. And what I found out with working with the First Lady, it's in the rural areas. It's all over Georgia, and people are in denial. And she, she told a story one time that one of... Thank you. That one of the mayors told her that it wasn't in his district, in his area, and then had to come back and apologize because they were caught right there in that district, in that area.

65. 0:22:10

    Yes, and if I could just ask a follow-up question-

66. 0:22:12

    Of course

67. 0:22:13

    ... uh, as well. So, um, so I cut my teeth in the hospitality industry and I love it. It's a great industry, and I, I saw a lot of what you're talking about actually, and, and on all different levels of the, um, hospitality industry, so I'm glad we're looking at it. But, um, so like h- uh, just help me understand, how are we gonna keep those, um, hotels, motels accountable, like for the small ones, and, um, what's that gonna look like? Is there gonna be... H- how are we gonna inspect it? H- how is, uh... It says that we're gonna hold them accountable, but how are we gonna prove that they actually had the knowledge that, that, that that was going on in the rooms?

68. 0:22:47

    And can you talk to that a little bit?

69. 0:22:49

    So, so if you see here in, uh, it's the section

70. 0:22:55

    number, on page two, number 21, and it talks about the training, the necessary training. And so they have to go through this training, and that will let you know that they are aware of what they should be looking for. And if it is found that based on that training, that it was found in that hotel or motel and they did not report it, that's when the repercussions will come into play.

71. 0:23:27

    And also, I just wanna say, um, just recently, and I don't know if you all saw, but um, Chris Carr had some individuals down last week, and I was talking with some of them. And so they are hotel and motel owners, and we've, we're having that discussion to make sure that we don't just go after them per se-

72. 0:23:47

    Mm-hmm

73. 0:23:47

    ... but the ones that are creating the problem and turning a blind side.

74. 0:23:54

    If I can ask, and I see Chris Hardeman's-

75. 0:23:57

    Mm-hmm

76. 0:23:57

    ... over here. Is this the language that we perfected?

77. 0:24:01

    Uh, yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, Chris Hardeman, I'm the head of the Hotel and Lodging Association. And yes, uh, so I wanted to first and foremost thank you, Representative Bazemore, for bringing this very, very important legislation forward. Um, I know there's some changes that-

78. 0:24:14

    Chris, come pull up a mic, 'cause since they're being streamed.

79. 0:24:17

    Of course.

80. 0:24:18

    On the other side's fine, um, if you will. If you can get around.

81. 0:24:23

    Okay.

82. 0:24:23

    Or on this side, either way.

83. 0:24:24

    Either way.

84. 0:24:27

    What number is that mic?

85. 0:24:29

    Two. Wait, two.

86. 0:24:31

    Two. Okay.

87. 0:24:32

    Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And, um, as, as I, as I was saying, I want to thank, uh, Representative Bazemore for bringing this forward and, and working to perfect it, um, last year. I know that after conversations with, uh, several, several other agencies as well as those that have been, uh, have made this a, a true priority for them, there is some language that I know Representative Bazemore is looking at to make it actually even more strict, um, so that it incorporates not only hotels, but also short-term rentals. Um, and that is coming straight from the chairman because we understand that we need to have eyes and ears, um, wherever possible on this issue.

88. 0:25:06

    Uh, as, as an industry, just to give you just a little bit of a layout, we've made this a priority t- from a financial investment to a, a, a time investment. And right now I'd say we'd have probably 95% of hotel employees trained in human trafficking prevention. We want to make that 100%. Um, that's why we have made this such an important issue. And, uh, some of the changes that I believe, uh, Representative Bazemore was referring to is putting it in, in, in the hands of the attorney general's office. Um, and that's coming from the, uh, press conference that was conducted, uh, last Thursday, I believe.

89. 0:25:37

    Um, in addition, putting some more f- some financial penalties on those, uh, hoteliers that, um, do not conduct the training. So I think that's important, and that is, uh, I know that is, that language is being written up as we speak. And hopefully we'll get this committee's full support in a- in addressing this very, very concerning issue. And most importantly, we want to make sure the world knows that there is no room for trafficking here in the state of Georgia, and that our in- our industry is trained before the World Cup comes in June.

90. 0:26:09

    That's right.

91. 0:26:11

    So-

92. 0:26:11

    That's right

93. 0:26:11

    ... happy to answer any questions.

94. 0:26:13

    Is, isn't it true that really last year whenever we were perfecting this particular language that we hadn't even considered the short-term rental-

95. 0:26:20

    Mm

96. 0:26:20

    ... where they may not even have somebody in the front to scan?

97. 0:26:23

    That is true.

98. 0:26:24

    Mm-hmm.

99. 0:26:24

    And so this particular piece of legislation is, uh, would pick that up.

100. 0:26:30

     So which, which is, which is essential. Um, even if there's not eyes there, uh, the, uh, the cleaning crew that comes in will be able to see signs to look out for. The owners that have eyes on the property will be able to look out for various signs. So we want to make sure that everyone is trained in human trafficking prevention.

101. 0:26:47

     Keep that seat. Yes, ma'am.

102. 0:26:50

     Thank you, Chairman. Uh, thank you Representative Bazemore for this bill, and thank you, sir, for being here with us today. Uh, I was just thinking, so this is once they've hit the ground, right? Uh, this is once they are, they've landed. I was just wondering if, if we've considered possibly including, uh, the airline industry in this bill, training for flight attendants and those that serve to be more, uh, attentive and cognizant of possible traf- uh, trafficking.

103. 0:27:27

     So, so I can say that over the years that we have been working with the airlines, especially Delta Airlines, and, um, even the mayor ... of Atlanta. And so we've had some ideas also. And remember we had the PSA, um, that was running.

104. 0:27:45

     Mm-hmm.

105. 0:27:45

     And so I want to also resurrect that, um, to a higher degree because we're going to have FIFA here. And so we need not just to listen to a recording say, "If you see something, say something," but we need to captivate those individuals as they're walking through, that they recognize the voice, and they stop, and they listen to what's being said so that we can help to stop this. We talked about some other things that I can't reveal, um, ways that we would attack this issue at the airport.

106. 0:28:21

     And the airport also has their own committee of sorts that's dealing with this issue. So we are in, um, we're collaborating.

107. 0:28:31

     Thank you. Um-

108. 0:28:32

     Yes, ma'am.

109. 0:28:33

     Chairman. I appreciate that. Um, but I, I do think that it's really important for us to make sure that the airlines are, and not just Delta-

110. 0:28:45

     Mm-hmm

111. 0:28:45

     ... because you've got United, you've got-

112. 0:28:47

     Mm-hmm

113. 0:28:47

     ... major airports, I mean, airlines coming through, really important that they are, are informed and abreast of what the signs are to look for.

114. 0:28:56

     Mm-hmm.

115. 0:28:56

     You know, and I know that some of that is ongoing, but I think if we put more of a stress, stressor on it, it would be, uh, really beneficial, um, because it's, it's, it's rampant now.

116. 0:29:07

     I agree and I appreciate it.

117. 0:29:08

     Thank you, ma'am.

118. 0:29:09

     Thank you.

119. 0:29:09

     Thank you. Thank you, Chairman.

120. 0:29:11

     Yes, ma'am. What number is, is your mic?

121. 0:29:13

     One.

122. 0:29:13

     One.

123. 0:29:15

     Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Representative Bazemore. I remember discussing this last session. Um, and as FIFA approaches, this is of paramount concern. Uh, I really like this bill because it deals with an issue that's not just urban or not just rural, but it's across the board.

124. 0:29:31

     That's right.

125. 0:29:31

     And I think that's something everything can agree upon. My question, um, and kudos on including short-term rentals. Uh, by definition, the short-term rentals, does that include Airbnbs? What's considered a short-term rental? Is that corporate rental? I'm sure the forthcoming language will clarify it. I'm just anticipating what would, what would fall under the short-term rental umbrella. Um, because as we progress, which is why we're here, as we progress the law, they find a way to-

126. 0:30:00

     Right

127. 0:30:00

     ... the traffickers find a way to slip around it. So I just wanted some more color, if you could provide it at this time around short-term rentals.

128. 0:30:07

     Chris?

129. 0:30:08

     Oh, Chris.

130. 0:30:08

     Yeah.

131. 0:30:08

     Thank you.

132. 0:30:09

     Um, thank you, Represent- That, that, that is, that is a phenomenal question. I think, uh, um, yes, it would, it would, uh, be Airbnb, those platforms, um, ensuring that they're held account- accountable, and that is thanks to your chairman who actually put that definition into Georgia Code by using the definition of innkeeper in Title 48. It incorporates all lodging businesses, short-term rentals, um, brick-and-mortar hotels, you name it.

133. 0:30:32

     Mm-hmm.

134. 0:30:34

     Yes, sir. Chairman? What, let's put number one.

135. 0:30:38

     Yeah. Number one.

136. 0:30:40

     How about, uh, state parks, where you have all these, uh, res- you know, housing and all them state parks? Would that be covered?

137. 0:30:47

     So that is, uh, I guess that would be a q- question for the, the author of the legislation. Um, I will say the definition of innkeeper in Title 48 does in some sense include, uh, campsites, RV parks, and those sort of things, but that is a phenomenal, phenomenal question. I, I will say also, the, uh, uh, through a, a recent announcement that actually came out 13 hours ago, IHG, your hometown brand here, um, Hyatt and Hilton just created some new comprehensive training that they are making available for free, um, in a partnership with us to all hospitality business professionals, whether it's hotels, whether it's airlines, or campground sites.

138. 0:31:29

     So...

139. 0:31:30

     And I believe that's in the bill already, too.

140. 0:31:32

     It is.

141. 0:31:32

     That, that the training is going to be free for anybody that's concerned about the state putting out the money.

142. 0:31:39

     Number three. Uh, yes, th- this could be in the bill already. Sorry.

143. 0:31:45

     Okay.

144. 0:31:45

     Yeah. Sorry, this could be already in the bill. Is this on?

145. 0:31:49

     Uh, try again.

146. 0:31:51

     You have to tap once more, Mr. Chairman.

147. 0:31:52

     That's what it is. That, thank you.

148. 0:31:55

     This could be-

149. 0:31:55

     Uh, this could be already in the bill. There you go.

150. 0:32:00

     No, no, no, no.

151. 0:32:03

     Okay. You know, this could, this could already be in the bill, and forgive me, I haven't read all the way through it, but, uh, so once they do the training and they've accomplished that, w- um, how do we know they did the training? Do they have to turn, report that themselves, or do we, um, they have to turn it in at submission and they have to list the names of the employees that took the training, or how, how does that look?

152. 0:32:20

     So on the second page-

153. 0:32:23

     Thank you

154. 0:32:24

     ... on, um, number 24, right now it says the Georgia Bureau of Inves- Investigation shall approve or de- deny the use of any alternative online or in-person training course within 60 days. But it also talks about who has to take... I'm sorry. I think if I go up. Um, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council shall provide a training course on recognizing and reporting incidents of suspected human trafficking at no cost to the proprietor, owners, or operators, or employees of a hospital.

155. 0:33:04

     Of a hospital.

156. 0:33:05

     I meant hotel. I'm sorry I said hospital. I do that often.

157. 0:33:10

     So they just have to self-report on the training? Is that what it is? And if they don't do that, they get fined, uh-

158. 0:33:16

     They will, can-

159. 0:33:17

     ... they get called not self-reporting, they get...

160. 0:33:19

     If you go down to 27, it says that they, once they complete the training, then for all of them, they have to complete it on or before July 1st, 2026, within five days of first becoming. So once they are an employee or a owner of that property, they have to complete this. And then The training will then be considered, um, from the GBI, a- and this from the GBI, but we're gonna, um, make sure it's the attorney general.

161. 0:33:58

     So that's gonna be changed.

162. 0:34:06

     I think he's asking, is there a check on the reporting requirement? Once it's done, do they report back and say that it's done?

163. 0:34:12

     Yes.

164. 0:34:13

     So like if-

165. 0:34:13

     Yes

166. 0:34:14

     ... they have turned over the employee-

167. 0:34:15

     We haven't heard that

168. 0:34:15

     ... each employee has to have training-

169. 0:34:17

     Yes, they have to have the training, yes

170. 0:34:19

     ... to the law enforcement?

171. 0:34:19

     And they have to report the training, yes.

172. 0:34:21

     But I believe the language it's, uh, the hotel owner would be required to keep those records for one year-

173. 0:34:27

     Mm-hmm

174. 0:34:27

     ... following the, uh, employee's termination.

175. 0:34:30

     Okay. And if they're caught not doing that, there's teeth behind it.

176. 0:34:34

     And the, uh, the updated language that-

177. 0:34:37

     Yes

178. 0:34:37

     ... Representative Bazemore will be bringing will be also a physical penalty.

179. 0:34:39

     Yes.

180. 0:34:40

     So I think it's 500, 1,000 and 2,000, if I, if I remember correctly-

181. 0:34:43

     Mm-hmm

182. 0:34:43

     ... is what the, uh, the department, which will be con- considered the attorney general's office-

183. 0:34:48

     Mm-hmm

184. 0:34:48

     ... um, would be imposing.

185. 0:34:49

     And again, I, I love the bill. I just wanna, in a practical real life world, make it better and good and stick to make it actually happen. So 'cause I've, I've run hotels before and I, I just, um, I could see us having this process work out, so.

186. 0:35:04

     Yeah.

187. 0:35:05

     Yeah.

188. 0:35:07

     Chris, for a short-term rental, do you have a bill in front of you? I don't see it on the... For, for LC5902ADF.

189. 0:35:16

     I do not have the bill in front of me. I was just looking at language I've seen.

190. 0:35:19

     Oh, perfect. Yeah, I wanna make sure that the short-term rentals are... They're the... As I see it, that is our most vulnerable area-

191. 0:35:27

     Mm

192. 0:35:27

     ... because there's no check-in person when you go in as you do with a hotel.

193. 0:35:33

     Oh, exactly. I think... And, and that was the point that you made, Mr. Chairman, in, uh, last year's committee hearings. It's, uh, it's essential that we find a way to get the training to all lodging businesses, including the, uh, short-term rental platforms. And I, I, I know that they, they have the capability to offer those, that training because this type of legislation has passed in several other states, um, over the years, so they have that training. I'm sure, I'm not gonna speak for Airbnb, but I know they have a lobbyist down here that would probably be supportive of it as well. Um, another part of the, uh, the additions that, that will be in front of you hopefully at the next committee is to, um, ensure that the, uh, the necessary signage is posted, um, in short-term rental p- properties.

194. 0:36:16

     That is the signage that, um, you, you, you may recall, whether it's, uh, massage parlors or hotels, there is signage that states that if you are involved in human trafficking, here's the national hot- outline number as well as the Georgia hotline number.

195. 0:36:29

     Mm-hmm.

196. 0:36:30

     So I think that will be included for short-term rentals as well.

197. 0:36:35

     Mm-hmm. Yes, ma'am.

198. 0:36:39

     Thank you very much. I greatly appreciate it. I apologize for missing meetings from last year, but I wanna be sure. Am I understa- understanding that we are trying to mandate, uh, every persons like VRBO, Airbnb, that they will have to go through this training? Is-

199. 0:37:00

     They're gonna be added to the list-

200. 0:37:02

     Okay

201. 0:37:02

     ... of individuals.

202. 0:37:03

     So it will be mandated, if I own an Airbnb, I will have to go and take this training that you are setting up. Is that correct?

203. 0:37:10

     Free of charge.

204. 0:37:11

     Yes, that is correct.

205. 0:37:12

     But it's mandated.

206. 0:37:13

     Yes.

207. 0:37:14

     Thank you.

208. 0:37:18

     Other members?

209. 0:37:24

     Then as I understand it, whenever we come back for the hearing next week, we're gonna make sure that the signage is in the bill, that state parks, um, was brought up, and that short-term rental is clear. Um,

210. 0:37:42

     Representative Franklin, was there anything else since you were part of the industry for so long?

211. 0:37:46

     Yeah. I, I just wanna make sure, I just, well, I wanna make sure that it's, uh, effective and, uh, that all the total areas are thought through, um, completely so that it's, uh, it does exactly, uh, do what you want it to do.

212. 0:37:59

     Mm-hmm.

213. 0:38:00

     So, and I'm just thinking through the industry. I mean, it's, it's gonna be, in my opinion, and I could be wrong, it could be the, the lower end cheaper hotels that have more of an issue. So to regulate those hotels is, um, is gonna be very important. Um, although human trafficking is on every scale, economic scale.

214. 0:38:15

     Yeah.

215. 0:38:15

     Don't get me wrong. Understand that, but there's gonna be, um, a lot of that. So, and there's a lot of hotels like that, so we need to make sure that they do the, the job that you want them to do, and I think it's a great bill. I thank you for bringing it. Um, just wanna make it perfect before we get it out, out the door. Thank you.

216. 0:38:30

     I agree. I thank you. Yes, sir.

217. 0:38:33

     Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I think in general, it's a great bill. Obviously fully supportive of going against human trafficking. I'm curious on a couple things. One, what is your expectation for Airbnbs? I, I would make the comment of the point of Airbnbs is for guests who check in with little, well, I would say with no communication or connection with an owner.

218. 0:38:57

     Mm.

219. 0:38:58

     So are we now asking Airbnb hosts to watch their cameras as owners check in and out? Um, what's the liability at that point? And outside of all of that, how are we gonna communicate to, uh, tens of thousands of Airbnb owners that they have to do this at risk of, um, criminal, um, charges against them?

220. 0:39:18

     Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Did you wanna address that?

221. 0:39:21

     I can.

222. 0:39:22

     Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mr. Secretary.

223. 0:39:25

     Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, uh, madam, for bringing the, uh, uh, legislation. I appreciate the goal. Uh, like my colleague, I also share the deep concern about the difference in a Airbnb model that is trying to, for many individuals in my district, uh, maybe just a, a side space trying to leverage the income and the expenses of their home, uh, into something income producing. Um, I do understand the concept of treating, uh, having some parity between lodging facilities.

224. 0:39:56

     So I would just for sake of conversation, knowing that this will come back, um, like to pose the idea for, for the thoughts for the author, if there might be a unit, um, a cap to where if, if you're a small, you know, if you have three bedrooms or three units, three lodging units, or if you have three or, you know, three or 10 or whatever that magic number might be, that you, you're not required but maybe can optionally, optionally participate in this.

225. 0:40:27

     So that, you know, I'm envisioning s- you know, there's Airbnbs I stay in Savannah, that they own 20 Airbnbs. They might need to be part of this, and they have a, a, a, a profit mo- a model that allows them to. They have an administrative office that could allow them to have that kind of administrative oversight. But for individuals who have one Airbnb or one or two, um, I'd be concerned that we're causing an undue unintentional burden on either them having participation in that, which is important for small rural communities' hospitality needs.

226. 0:40:59

     Um, uh, so and I know you're, uh, well thought out, so I, I just wanted as a, a... Put that as a professional question, if that might be a possible amendment.

227. 0:41:07

     I appreciate the feedback. And I think, um, the thought was that the cleaning crew would be able to, not so much the owner, because the owner probably, like you said, does not have that communication, that contact, physical contact with those individuals. So that was the thought process, but we can talk that through and...

228. 0:41:31

     I believe, uh, also Airbnb has their own training, so, uh, I, I wouldn't doubt that the most, many of the, uh, Airbnb, uh, owners are already trained in human trafficking prevention. It's a 30-minute online course. Um, so it's a, a, I think it's what they have. Um, and I know they'll be able to, the owners, the third-party employees of the management companies would be able to get any free training, whether it's through us and our partnership with Best Alliance, through the hotel brands, or through the, the, the platforms, whether that's VRBO or Airbnb-

229. 0:42:02

     Mm-hmm

230. 0:42:02

     ... or any of the others.

231. 0:42:03

     So third-party administrators.

232. 0:42:04

     Third-party administrators.

233. 0:42:05

     Yeah.

234. 0:42:05

     That's a good way to put it.

235. 0:42:06

     Yes, ma'am.

236. 0:42:07

     Last, uh, my last comment. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think there's two ways to look at this. When I think of the hotels, motels, think of those structures, I think about employee onboarding.

237. 0:42:19

     Mm-hmm.

238. 0:42:19

     I think about when you get a job and you-

239. 0:42:21

     Mm-hmm

240. 0:42:21

     ... you know, go for your first day, and they give you the packet, and you fill out whatever, and there's sexual harassment training in there and all these other things. So I think of that more of as an inclusive approach-

241. 0:42:32

     Right

242. 0:42:33

     ... for employee onboarding.

243. 0:42:34

     Mm-hmm.

244. 0:42:35

     And then with what you just specified, that's helpful for me because perhaps what my colleague is alluding to, just to edify it a little bit, is in, in the event that there's already third-party training provided.

245. 0:42:48

     Mm-hmm.

246. 0:42:48

     Like, if you have to go through a training to have rental spaces.

247. 0:42:52

     Mm-hmm.

248. 0:42:52

     You know, how does it work in that instance? Because I think the intent is awareness, and then not being able to deny that you've-

249. 0:43:00

     Yes

250. 0:43:00

     ... known something and that something has occurred-

251. 0:43:02

     Mm-hmm

252. 0:43:02

     ... without pri- without placing-

253. 0:43:04

     Mm-hmm

254. 0:43:04

     ... undue stress-

255. 0:43:05

     Mm-hmm

256. 0:43:05

     ... on the business owner. But in the event that there is third-party training available, um, you know, maybe somewhere in the language that suffices as awareness if it's sex trafficking specific.

257. 0:43:18

     I appreciate your feedback.

258. 0:43:19

     Mm-hmm.

259. 0:43:20

     Other members?

260. 0:43:24

     Anyone else from the public want to address this particular bill?

261. 0:43:29

     Well, ladies and gentlemen, since we are in a hearing mode only, we've got some issues to go back, and we will be back next week-

262. 0:43:36

     Okay

263. 0:43:36

     ... again with lunch sponsored by Tyler Perry Studios, not Tyler Perry himself. Um, I want to thank you in advance and appreciate your time. And for those of you going to the, uh, door bill, uh, uh, film studio, help yourself.

264. 0:43:50

     Mr. Chairman.

265. 0:43:51

     Mr. Chairman.

266. 0:43:52

     If we allow, uh-

267. 0:43:52

     Oh

268. 0:43:52

     ... we could screen the, uh, PSA that the First Lady and, um, Mr. Perry did as a potential conversation later with the committee.

269. 0:44:00

     Sure.

270. 0:44:01

     Is that the same one that we had done?

271. 0:44:03

     I believe so. And, and we screened that, um, advertise-

272. 0:44:06

     Mm-hmm

273. 0:44:06

     ... during the, um, ads for, it's like, um, the, the White House-

274. 0:44:10

     Mm-hmm

275. 0:44:11

     ... um, with the First Lady for the violence and things. I'd accept that.

276. 0:44:15

     Thank you.

277. 0:44:16

     M- M- Mr. Chairman, thank you, um, f- for this moment. I apologize for my tardiness. I was with the Speaker and some RESA kids down in the House Floor. But I understand you went over the Ireland Trade Commission, that was the first thing that you covered, and I just wanted to go on record that I support that. I did an independent trip to Ireland this summer and went to the Leinster House, and they greeted me very appropriately. And I, and we had long discussions about the relationships between Ireland and the United States, and particularly Georgia, and everything that comes through our port from that country.

278. 0:44:47

     So I'm in big support of that, and I just wanted that on the record.

279. 0:44:51

     Thank you so much.

280. 0:44:52

     Thank you.

281. 0:44:52

     Ladies and gentlemen, we are adjourned. See you next Thursday.

282. 0:45:18

     Good lunch.