Amendment ID: S2381-18

Amendment 18

Coordination with hospitality industry during states of emergency

Mr. Keenan moves to amend the amendment by inserting the following new section:-

SECTION _. There shall be a commission to study the feasibility and potential for use of lodging units within the hospitality industry, including hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, and hosting platform lodging units, as resources to increase the availability of emergency shelter for individuals and families displaced during extreme weather events or other states of emergency as declared by the Governor. The commission shall study and make recommendations relating to: ways to maintain up to date inventories of units available for shelter during emergencies; networks to alert local officials about the availability of hospitality industry units as emergency shelter; platforms and protocol for communication and coordination between the hospitality industry and state and local officials during emergencies; and any other factors deemed relevant by the chair of the commission.

The commission shall consist of the director of the Massachusetts emergency management agency or their designee, who shall serve as chair, and the following eight additional members: two members appointed by the Massachusetts Lodging Association; three members appointed by the Massachusetts Municipal Association, two of whom shall have experience in local emergency planning and management, and one of whom shall have experience in municipal licensure processes; and three members appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a representative of the department of revenue, one of whom shall be a representative of a hosting platform, and one of whom shall be a representative of a non-profit entity with experience in national level emergency management and relief.

The commission shall report the results of its study, together with drafts of legislation if any is recommended by the commission, by filing the report with the clerks of the house of representatives and senate on or before July 31, 2019.