[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6664285,"mediaKeyId","2383137-e11b7c6ebe3deb06b19b91ff900accf0","parentId",2383137,"title","Committee hears extended‑stay 'innkeeper' bill after hotel industry testifies to repeated nonpayment and safety concerns; bill tabled","audioSeconds",3928,"startMs",3734000,"endMs",7662000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383137-e11b7c6ebe3deb06b19b91ff900accf0&start=3734&end=7662","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383137-e11b7c6ebe3deb06b19b91ff900accf0/thumbnail_3734000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6664285/Georgia/Committee-hears-extendedstay-innkeeper-bill-after-hotel-industry-testifies-to-repeated-nonpayment-and-safety-concerns-bill-tabled","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664285-f0bb7ff5e1a3559ab9e5567b2841c1bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140563&Signature=ZiofOBmBmTi5Q8-l4BK7KuBTi-hF5QCuf~zhhMux7aysiNxFBfErlKgq1QBysbS6ZJSkplfR-AWJK~yjU8erRaRV2PZxCbMmzWmptrWeYf17Z9qZ3d4l~Jri-9g-0mCUNI63VmQXzPrqaZ2l7WTZ2YiCMppeA3a3HJF~R8GlFogdTNE1pJco1sED~ow0W8MLwqQqefzAt97KeEEAKtC0v2JHt5t75LSipX19MpcDOodr987kda-aorQACR87bi00mr4PA7uZHvcvuOQ3nuEWheM0LpSJoEovvz3XcEkgqF0gcWZGqpRMGT87gLTz1GmsPXwBwxnTNzlhcg2-2ssPzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-02-24T23:11:41.583Z","article","Lawmakers heard extended testimony on House Bill 183, a proposal to clarify rights and remedies for innkeepers when guests overstay or refuse to pay. Sponsors and hotel‑industry witnesses said the bill would provide a clear ejectment procedure, a short notice period and a lien/storage process for guest property; opponents and questioners pressed for due‑process safeguards and circumscription to avoid unintended consequences.

The sponsor, Representative Seebaugh (presenting the measure through an author identified as Bruce), told the committee the legislation “clarifies and strengthens the rights of innkeepers in managing guest occupancy” and said it is intended to prevent a small subset of long‑term nonpaying guests from exploiting landlord‑tenant law to frustrate eviction. The sponsor summarized the bill’s core points: clarifying guest versus tenant status; classifying overstaying extended‑stay guests as trespassers (in specified circumstances); restoring an immediate removal remedy; and providing a process for handling occupants’ property.

Industry testimony and examples: Sam Mollman, outside general counsel for SNA Suites LLC, told lawmakers he is litigating a writ action because a sheriff refused to accept ejectment affidavits under OCGA 44‑11‑30. Mollman said some sheriffs treat nonpaying guests as tenants or claim they are not “intruders,” leaving hoteliers without the ejectment remedy. He told the committee that the bill’s text aims to resolve that uncertainty by declaring that nonpaying guests remain guests for purposes of the ejectment remedy, and by creating a discrete ejectment pathway for innkeepers.

Trade groups and local evidence: Chris Hardman of the Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association and Daniel Niu of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association said the problem is widespread and growing. Hardman told the committee that industry members “found out through a survey… that out of the 80 hotels in that area, 200 rooms were being occupied by individuals who had refused to pay,” and described instances where nonpaying guests remained months at a time. Lisa Anders, chief operating officer of Explore Gwinnett, said Gwinnett County has 105 hotels and “this is truly an ongoing issue… it happens every single solitary week,” and gave an example of one hotel that had accumulated $67,000 in losses connected to a single long‑term nonpayment case.

Legal framework and debate: Witnesses and members discussed several statutory authorities. SNA Suites’ counsel and others cited OCGA 44‑11‑30 (the ejectment/\"intruder\" statute) and said sheriffs’ reluctance to accept ejectment affidavits leaves hoteliers with only dispossessory proceedings, which require a landlord‑tenant relationship. Opponents and questioning members asked whether the existing Efficiency Lodge decision (a recent case discussed in testimony) or the current statutes already provide guidance; proponents said case law and statutory language have left critical gaps in practice.

Due process, notice and policing: Committee members pressed industry witnesses about notice periods, the opportunity to file a counter‑affidavit, and the risk of inconsistent local enforcement. Witnesses recommended a brief statutory notice window (the bill provides a five‑day removal period in the draft presented) and a subsequent storage/lien regime for occupant property; they also emphasized a preference for peace‑officer assistance rather than hotel staff physically removing occupants.

Committee action: After the testimony and Q&A, a member moved to table the bill. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote; the bill was tabled from the agenda.

Ending: Supporters told the committee the bill would protect small business hoteliers, their employees and the traveling public by clarifying an ejectment option and standardizing law enforcement response. Critics and questioners sought clearer safeguards for notice, the counter‑affidavit process, and limits to prevent misuse. The committee voted to table the measure pending further work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Judiciary 02.24.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lawmakers heard extended testimony on House Bill 183, a proposal to clarify rights and remedies for innkeepers when guests overstay or refuse to pay.","taxTitle","Judiciary, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",17225,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6664290,"Georgia panel hears bill to allow optional digital recording in courts; reporters urge protections",2581,644000,3225000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383137-e11b7c6ebe3deb06b19b91ff900accf0&start=644&end=3225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383137-e11b7c6ebe3deb06b19b91ff900accf0/thumbnail_644000.jpg","/articles/6664290/Georgia/Georgia-panel-hears-bill-to-allow-optional-digital-recording-in-courts-reporters-urge-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664290-b9881fa5ba231eba324de874ef4983c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140563&Signature=hD1oid-KVeYA7CrJssP1DhiIb--ClXA4~dvaP23qu~cO6B7XMtMjrqL17RS45FjcJ7~hJe-bnQKoj9DyA9pbwion7wAy5kYc15eirwrk2xJVw5HedsSgviKFMd6ONQtK6Kt7xCLmEg~F2~4nF7Q6alAf~iox8G3eg0~LFaxLjYizkE08-eQ0m-gc3agFqCafjxPUx3P7JZimepI6VybahT25q8FKUbingnG1UzUCTzvAWb90AoMQJ4U2LfcfxEmYLZs-iQ93sbkYvoNWOxa3-4m-tvtIYL6GpT-TDDVLtSc~8oAF77dbHdZCG7Ojozv0gWnrxYpgayshUqY0lzcFbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House lawmakers heard testimony on House Bill 179, a measure from the Judicial Council of Georgia that would permit trial judges to use digital recording systems as an optional method to take down courtroom proceedings, with felony jury trials exempted.

The bill’s sponsor, Judge Ben Land, described the measure as a narrowly scoped change that would let judges “have proceedings digitally recorded via digital recording system, with the exception of certain felony proceedings.” He told the committee the bill is intended to be optional and to address locations where courts cannot secure court reporters.

Why it matters: Proponents said the bill would help courts continue proceedings when reporters are unavailable and allow court reporters to focus on matters that most need verbatim transcripts. Opponents — principally freelance and certified court reporters — said the draft does not yet guarantee reporters a formal role in rulemaking, does not set minimum technical standards statewide, and would not address compensation or staffing pressures that contribute to shortages.

Supporters’ case: Judge Land told the committee that state and local judges have struggled to secure reporters, particularly in state courts, and that the bill would authorize the Supreme Court and the uniform-rules processes to adopt technical standards and training requirements. \"By creating this framework, House Bill 179 as filed will not replace the court reporter's role in Georgia courts, but merely supplement it with digital recordings,\" he said. Land and other proponents said the recordings would not become the official record unless transcribed and certified by a court reporter.

Court reporters’ concerns: Jennifer Pope, legislative chair for the Georgia Court Reporters Association and a certified stenographic reporter, testified that the bill “will fundamentally and forever change the process of justice” if implemented without stronger protections. Pope urged that court reporters — and the Board of Court Reporting — be guaranteed seats in the rulemaking process, and pressed for minimum equipment standards (she cited \"a minimum of 4 channels, 5 channels\" and \"high fidelity\" capability) and protections for transcription quality. Pope said long-standing pay-rate issues also drive the shortage, noting that official rates have not risen in many years.

Industry viewpoints and proposed changes: Edward Lindsey, an attorney representing multiple court-reporting services, proposed statutory language to recognize digital recording as an additional method for creating records and to allow digital systems to be considered in depositions; Judge Land opposed including depositions in this bill and said doing so would conflict with the measure’s stated purpose.

Committee disposition: After extended questioning and offers to work on amendments, the committee agreed to move the bill off the floor for further work. Committee members said they would reset the bill for another hearing promptly so interested parties — including court reporters, the Board of Court Reporting and the Judicial Council — can refine technical standards and the rulemaking process. The sponsor asked the committee to pass the bill as filed so rulemaking can begin; others urged additional drafting time.

What the bill would and would not do: The draft would make digital recording an option, not a mandate; it would leave final rule adoption to uniform-rules committees and the Supreme Court; and it would not make a digital recording the official record unless transcribed and certified by a court reporter. The bill explicitly exempts felony jury trials and does not cover depositions in its current form.

Next steps: The committee held the matter for further work and said the bill will be reset this week for additional consideration and potential committee substitution.

Ending: Lawmakers, court reporters and vendor representatives left the hearing with clear differences to resolve: proponents pressed urgency to address immediate reporter shortages, while court reporters sought statutory guarantees for involvement in rulemaking, minimum technical standards, and remedies for long‑standing pay issues.","House lawmakers heard testimony on House Bill 179, a measure from the Judicial Council of Georgia that would permit trial judges to use digital recording systems as an optional method to take down courtroom proceedings, with felony jury trials exempted.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6664280,"Votes at a glance: committee approves two bills, schedules others for later",1885,540000,2425000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383137-e11b7c6ebe3deb06b19b91ff900accf0&start=540&end=2425","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383137-e11b7c6ebe3deb06b19b91ff900accf0/thumbnail_540000.jpg","/articles/6664280/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-approves-two-bills-schedules-others-for-later","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664280-2fe756f0897ca2b354ad83242467f648/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140563&Signature=hc10ife--2RCCR31OB~nmtB8pkaT6GdypNUqE5vHIr9LqtSQi~dZDMoJiLUzh0xIWlvDynvDj9078kCO142AXG74v2GjS9DaVn-GSc~XRUf7EbJFMjlOs1M8F6oJi1qF2B4buBZcU6INpITXGPJ9IzBLYcqhXaU9pBRrHDOwnytbOYTPXNkZb6gfmDizygKRaLHEm4bz18FQmhWLFiylmbv7rlfFwohWufFER3PNQv6GY-TjIoo3396o8LB59minmBLJEzqlFGBVbUyU2Hsd5RkG7LxJkdXiVnr6CLNLZm0u2Nq11SZXFtduhLUesHlVvZGPe1~HwGiS1okTloIT1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Judiciary Committee reached final outcomes on multiple short items during the session and set other items for later consideration.

Approved bills

- House Bill 358: Committee approved a technical amendment clarifying a definition related to a military installation (presented as \"house bill 3 58 l c 33 9 7 7 0\" in the record). The sponsor explained the change would attach the military installation definition to the referenced code section (\"2‑1‑7\" as discussed in testimony). The committee voted by voice and approved the item during the early portion of the hearing.

- House Bill 515: Representative Newton presented House Bill 515 to add a sixth judge to the Augusta circuit (Augusta/Richmond and Burke counties). The sponsor said the circuit has more than 3,300 pending cases and that adding a judge is included in the governor’s budget for funding; the bill lists an effective date of January 1, 2026. The committee moved and seconded the bill and approved it by voice vote.

Items continued or scheduled

- House Bill 427: Noted in committee as to be heard at a later date.

Other actions

- House Bill 179 (digital recording): Heard at length; committee held the bill for redrafting and will reset it promptly for further work.

- House Bill 183 (innkeeper/ejectment): Heard with extensive industry testimony; the committee voted to table the bill.

Ending: The committee approved two short bills by voice vote and took additional time for longer, contested items to allow further drafting and stakeholder engagement.","The House Judiciary Committee approved two short bills by voice vote and scheduled more complex measures for additional drafting and hearings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears extended‑stay 'innkeeper' bill after hotel industry testifies to repeated nonpayment and safety concerns; bill tabled

Georgia panel hears bill to allow optional digital recording in courts; reporters urge protections

Votes at a glance: committee approves two bills, schedules others for later