Citing Shark Tank, Republicans nix bill seeking to ban renting hotel rooms for less than six hours

A measure seeking to prohibit hotel owners from renting rooms for less than six hours aimed at combating prostitution and other illegal transactions was rejected Wednesday, with one Republican citing an example from the TV show ‘Shark Tank.’

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Darren Jernigan, D-Old Hickory, would punish businesses that rent rooms for less than six hours by revoking their business license for up to one year.

Jernigan said the legislation was aimed at fighting prostitution, human trafficking and drug transactions.

Last year, the Nashville Metro Council voted to ban hotels, motels and other similar establishments from renting rooms on an hourly basis or for any period less than 10 hours.

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Rep. Tilman Goins, R-Morristown, said “time and time again” he has had to rent a hotel room for less than six hours, adding he knew Jernigan was seeking to curb prostitution and drug deals.

“But those things are going to take place anyway,” Goins said.

While expressing opposition to the bill, Goins cited an episode of 'Shark Tank', which he said featured an online app that allowed professionals to get a room for a nap in the time when hotel patrons typically check in and out.

The proposal, made in 2017 by a company known as Hotels By Day, ultimately failed to get support from the cast of Shark Tank — a show which allows entrepreneurs chances to pitch their ideas in an effort to secure funding.

After fielding a question from Rep. Michael Curcio, R-Dickson, Jernigan said nothing in his legislation said patrons had to be in a hotel room for six hours, but rather that they needed to pay for a minimum of that time period.

“What we found was prostitution, opioid use, and human trafficking — and if I have to weigh that versus you having to pay for six hours — I’m going to go with that,” Jernigan said.

Rep. Martin Daniel, R-Knoxville, said he was reluctant to interfere with private contracts between two parties.

“I think there are better ways to target the vice that you’re trying to remedy here,” he said.

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld that a 10-hour minimum for hotel stays is constitutional as long as the city has identified a reasonable basis that hourly rates at hotels lead to an increase in crime and other unwanted "secondary effects."

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The bill only received 38 votes in favor, a dozen shy of the majority needed for its passage. All 45 of the votes against the bill came from Republicans.

Joey Garrison contributed to this report.

Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.