On November 22nd, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas granted an injunction regarding the Department of Labor's Overtime Regulations.  This injunction prohibits the new federal overtime salary regulations  from taking effect on December 1, 2016.  It is anticipated that the DOL will appeal the injunction but pending the appeal is being heard, the new regulations are enjoined and cannot go into effect.  

The Galveston Hotel & Lodging Association is pleased to annouce the 2017 Board of Directors.  Board Officers include Chair:  Steve Cunningham, Wyndham Hotels; First Vice Chair: Paul Schultz, Landry’s; Second Vice Chair:  Willis Gandhi, Holiday Inn Express; Sergeant At Arms – Theresa Elliott, Casa del Mar; and Treasurer:  Claire Reiswerg, Sand ‘N Sea Properties.  At Large Board Members include William "Buzz" Elton; Mike Pistone with the Hilton Galveston Resort; Kelly de Schaun with the Park Board of Trustees; Ron Sutula with Schlitterbahn; and John Zendt with Moody Gardens.

In Texas, Owners of multi-line telephone systems are now required to provide direct-dial access to 9-1-1 without having to dial an additional digit (9) first. Providers of multi-line telephone systems have until September 1, 2016 to comply. 

If the existing MLTS cannot be re-programmed or replaced to meet the direct access requirement, a one-year waiver shall be granted upon timely submission of an affidavit. Business owners should contact their MLTS provider to learn if their phone system is compliant. Most new phone systems just need to be reprogrammed.  

For more information on requirements or to request a waiver, visit  http://texas911.org/karislaw 

The Park Board of Trustees will host a Public Hearing prior to the appoving the oepration budgets for the fiscal year 2016-2017 on Tuesday, September 6th at the Galveston Island Convention Center.  The session, which is open to the public, starts at 5:30pm.  This is your opportunity to learn about how hotel occupancy tax is utilized for the benefit of both tourists and residents.

Congratulations to GHLA member Spencer Priest on his appointment to the Park Board of Trustees.  Spencer is the area director of revenue management for Landry's Hotels on the Island and will be a great addition to the Board.  Spencer joins another GHLA member, Williams "Buzz" Elton on the board.  

Beginning July 5th, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is increasing the fine for failing to post the required federal nondiscrimination notices from $210 per violation to $525 per violation.  The EEOC requires every employer covered by Title VII, the American with Disabilities Act or the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act to post information in "prominent and accessible" work locations, describing the provisions of these laws.  For complimentary copies of the workplace posters and additional information the requirements, please visit the DOL's website at https://www.dol.gov/oasam/boc/osdbu/sbrefa/poster/matrix.htm.  

GHLA is pleased to announce the 2016 Scholarship Award recipients.  We would like to thank everyone who applied for the a scholarship.  The scholarship program was established to provide financial assistance to students of the Hospitality Club at Ball High School.  

Congratulations to this year's recipients: Ms. Gabriela Estrada and Ms. Jennifer Lopez.  Gabriela has been accepted at McCombs Business School at the University of Texas and Jennifer will be attending the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management at the University of Houston!

On May 18, 2016, President Obama and Secretary Perez announced the publication of the Department of Labor’s final rule updating the overtime regulations, which will automatically extend overtime pay protections to over 4 million workers within the first year of implementation.   The effective date of the Final Rule is December 1, 2016. The initial increases to the standard salary level (from $455 to $913 per week) and Highly Compensated Employee total annual compensation requirement (from $100,000 to $134,004 per year) will be effective on that date. Future automatic updates to those thresholds will occur every three years, beginning on January 1, 2020.

For guidance and materials, the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division has posted an Overtime Final Rule page on their website.

Get ready for the ride of a lifetime.  A 926-foot water coaster named MASSIV opens in June 2016 at Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston Island. The ride features a series of uphill water blasts and will be the world's tallest water coaster!  Riders will face the first ever triple-drop finale to exit the coaster.  Please click here for more information!