March 24, 2015 Fal Members of the House Judiciary Civil Committee Georgia State Capitol ‘Atlanta, GA Dear Representatives: ‘The Georgia Association of CVBs has been monitoring SB 129, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. One of our legslative priorities is to oppose legislation that allows discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation or religious affiliation or practice. This bill has been highly controversial and the language is commonly misunderstood. The way this bill is being perceived by convention groups coming to Georgia is that it opens the door to allow their delegates to be discriminated against. Careful legal analysis of this bill raises concerns of discrimination. We do not want our future visitors to Georgia to be worried about being faced with any discriminatory behavior under the guise of this bill. We know that the current version closely models the federal law and appreciate the language in lines 34-35 of the bill that states Courts have consistently held that government has fundamental, overriding interest in eradicating discrimination. However, no matter what the language, perception is reality for our customers and we don't want them to go elsewhere. ‘A.cancelled convention in the hospitality industry is like a manufacturing facility's customer cancelling an order. The factory is all set ~ the labor is in place, the raw materials have been purchased, and their equipment is ready to produce the product. But without an order, those workers go home without paychecks and the factory sits silently. AAs of today we know of at least $15 milion in convention business that has stated that they will cancel their conventions should this bill pass. This is only what we've been made aware of publicly. Other groups have inquired but have not given notice to leave yet. Of course this doesn’t count the lost opportunities - groups that simply won't consider Georgia because of the perception of our state being urwelcoming. If this bill passes, we expect the long term negative impact will be hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue. “This legislation is unnecessary and divisive. It isa distraction from the other important issues that would advance Georgia's future. Any legislation that creates the perception that Georgia allows discrimination is bad for our economy, and we respectfully ask that you OPPOSE SB 129 and HOLD it in committee. Protections for religious freedom are already in place in both federal law and the Georgia Constitution. This bill is unnecessary, divisive, and a distraction from the issues needed toadvance Georgia. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Sincerely, The Georgia Association of CVBs Board of Directors Monica Smith, Macon-Bibb County CVB, President Jay Markwalter, Augusta CVB, Vice President Brett Huske, Dalton CVB, Secretary-Treasurer Jane Sowell, Milledgeville-Baldwin County CVB, Past President Rashelle Beasley, Albany CVB, At-Large Katie Bishop, CVB of Dunwoody, At-Large Tyra Howard, Valdosta CVB, At-Large Scott McQuade, Golden Isles CVB, At-Large Rebecca McWilliam, Dublin CVB, At-Large Angie Singletary, Americus CVB, At-Large Cookie Smoak, Meet College Park, At-Large Elizabeth Vance, Thomson-McDuffie County CVB, At-Large