RELATING TO HOTELS.

Expanded the definition of 'service disruption' to include noisy demonstrations, construction, unavailability of advertised amenities (like pools or internet), and inaccessible features, in addition to pest infestations and work stoppages.

Added a specific prohibition preventing hotels from charging fees, penalties, or retaining deposits if a guest cancels due to a likely service disruption.

Modified the penalty clause to require violators to forfeit three times the amount charged in excess of what they are entitled to, rather than just the overcharged amount.

Changed the effective date from July 1, 3000, to immediately upon the bill's approval.

Updated the definition of 'guest' to explicitly include 'hotel service users' and clarified that 'hotel service' includes various operational aspects like meeting rooms and food services.

The definition of 'service disruption' was changed to explicitly include planned construction work creating excessive noise, while removing references to bed bugs, lice, and other pests.

Notice requirements were clarified to require notification within 24 hours of onset or five days before an anticipated disruption, whichever is less.

A new provision was added requiring hotelkeepers to reimburse guests for the value of disrupted services or amenities, capped at the value of the reserved room.

The penalty for violations was refined to specify that the forfeited amount equals three times the excess charges collected by the hotelkeeper.

The definition of 'third-party vendor' was modified to require that the vendor's work stoppage be authorized by the affirmative vote of the labor organization's members.

Changed the order of notification recipients to list third-party vendors before guests, ensuring both groups are covered.

Added a new provision allowing guests to terminate their reservations without any fees, penalties, or loss of deposits if a service disruption occurs.

Added a clause stating that any attempt by a hotel to waive a guest's right to receive notice is legally void.

Introduced a penalty clause requiring hotelkeepers to pay three times the excess charges to injured parties for violating the notice requirements.

Extended the bill's effective date from July 1, 2050, to July 1, 3000.

Updated the bill title to include 'Third-Party Vendors' and changed the hearing designation from HD1 to HD2.

The bill title was shortened from 'Hotels; Hotel Services; Service Disruption; Third-Party Vendor; Guests; Notice; Damages' to 'Hotels; Hotel Services; Service Disruption; Third-Party Vendor; Guests; Notice', removing the reference to damages from the title.

The sponsor of the bill was changed from Ainoa Naniole to Emma Berman, and the file metadata was updated to reflect House Draft 1 status.

A new clause was added requiring that the Act not impair any existing contracts in a manner violative of the Hawaii State Constitution or the U.S. Constitution.

The definition of 'service disruption' was slightly streamlined by removing specific examples like construction noise and utility outages, while retaining the core categories of infestations and work stoppages.

The definition of 'guest' was expanded to explicitly include 'hotel service users' to ensure broader coverage.

The effective date of the Act was explicitly set to July 1, 2050.