Governmental Affairs

Overview

Foremost among the responsibilities of the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association (NHLA) is representing all components of the lodging industry and providing advocacy and protection with legislative and regulatory bodies in Nevada as well as in Washington, DC through the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). The NHLA is the state lodging organization representing the public policy interests of the lodging industry and its employees and guests throughout Nevada.

The governmental affairs team of NHLA works in tandem with the AHLA, to protect and promote the interests of the Nevada lodging industry in the legislative, regulatory and tax administration arenas. Staff and contracted lobbyists work closely with elected officials to educate them on our lodging, tourism, travel and business issues.

Just as important as legislation is the review and implementation of regulations by state and local government agencies. This secondary focus of the governmental affairs program is working at the agency level on public policy to ensure that regulations are needed and that its implementation is practical and effective.

The NHLA is also active in the political arena. NHLA supports candidates who are business-friendly, will help promote Nevada's tourism economy, will reduce needless regulation and improve the efficiency of government in Nevada.

NHLA's governmental affairs policies are developed in conjunction with its governmental affairs committee and the Board of Directors. The Association monitors legislative issues and public policy hearings, then distributes to members information to contact state legislators or agencies.

General Principles

NHLA:
• Favors a more focused use of state-authorized room taxes to strengthen the tourism and travel business. Opposes additional increases in room tax rates or any expansion in how these tax revenues may be used.
• Supports programs and legislation that enhance the travel and lodging industry.
• Supports state preemption and uniform statewide regulation rather than a proliferation of local standards when such regulation is truly warranted. Care should be taken to ensure regulation does not put Nevada at a competitive disadvantage or damage its ability to sustain a healthy business economy.
• Favors the practical consolidation of government regulatory responsibilities. Inspections or reporting requirements should be combined to streamline the process and simplify compliance.
• Supports the concept of public and private sector cooperation to ensure more efficient use of public funds and to keep the focus on results rather than process when spending those funds. New laws and administrative rules that impact business should be developed in cooperation with business to ensure they are both effective and practical to implement.
• Defends the rights of business owners to protection from government action or inaction that unfairly affects their ability to compete in the marketplace.
• NHLA does not currently advocate any new taxes, and opposes any new taxes that unfairly target our industry or its customers.

Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy: The NHLA addresses a wide range of legislative issues in Carson City, while the American Hotel & Lodging Association does the same in Washington, DC. NHLA's long-time legislative advocates and Van V. Heffner, President & CEO, review hundreds of bills as they are introduced and amended in Carson City bi-annually. Bills affecting our lodging industry are identified, reviewed and tracked throughout the legislative process to protect the lodging industry.

Proactively, NHLA helps the industry achieve legislative changes that are beneficial to our members. When key issues are identified we work to support or oppose the proposed legislation by monitoring, providing testimony and building coalitions to enhance our advocacy.

NHLA also gets involved in public policy issues at the local level including proposed regulations from health departments, transportation, homeland security, convention authorities and other agencies throughout Nevada or as requested by NHLA members.

Regional Educational and Member Meetings: Each year the NHLA conducts numerous member meetings including governmental affairs briefings by guest speakers as well as socials for networking throughout the state. Topics include updates legislative and regulatory actions and feature a governmental affairs briefing from time to time. Participation in these events is an excellent way for the lodging industry to stay informed.

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