WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chair of the Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion, announced her co-sponsorship of the Save Hotel Jobs Act, legislation that would provide hotel owners and operators new grant opportunities and tax credits to help pay hotel employees, rehire laid-off workers, and help the hotel industry recover.
“In 2020, the peak of the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic, Nevada lost tens of thousands of jobs in the hospitality industry,” said Senator Rosen. “ Our hospitality industry needs additional support to fully recover, and I am committed to bringing Nevada hotel employees back to work. As we begin to see tourism numbers bounce back to pre-pandemic levels, this legislation will provide the resources needed to rehire large numbers of hotel workers in a safe and timely manner, further supporting Nevada’s tourism economy. We must work to ensure all employees remain protected by increasing testing and maintaining cleaning protocols. ”
BACKGROUND: The Save Hotel Act is supported by UNITE HERE and the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA).
Specifically the Save Hotel Act would:
- Support hotel workers through direct payroll grants
- Provides grants to hotel owner-operators for worker payroll and benefit expenses;
- Requires grantees to give laid-off hotel workers recall rights to ensure that those who lost their hotel jobs due to the pandemic can go back to work;
- Hotel grantees who do not follow the terms of the legislation would be liable for a claw back of funds as well as fines.
- Provide tax credits to promote worker safety
- The Personal Protective Equipment Tax Credit would allow for a payroll tax credit for 50 percent of costs associated with the purchase of personal protective equipment, technology designed to reduce the impact of the pandemic, increased testing for employees, and enhanced cleaning protocols;
- Ensures that all safety protocols do not negatively impact the level of work for housekeeping workers.
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