South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association

9710110
B245894

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BEFORE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

COMMISSIONERS:: Robert Pitofsky, Chairman; Sheila F. Anthony; Mozelle W. Thompson; Orson Swindle

In the Matter of

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE LODGING ASSOCIATION, a corporation.

Docket Number: C-3830

DECISION AND ORDER

The Federal Trade Commission having initiated an investigation of certain acts and practices of the respondent named in the caption hereof, and the respondent having been furnished thereafter with a copy of a draft of complaint which the San Francisco Regional Office proposed to present to the Commission for its consideration and which, if issued by the Commission, would charge respondent with violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act; and

The respondent and counsel for the Commission having thereafter executed an agreement containing a consent order, an admission by the respondent of all the jurisdictional facts set forth in the aforesaid draft of complaint, a statement that the signing of said agreement is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by respondent that the law has been violated as alleged in such complaint, or that the facts as alleged in such complaint, other than jurisdictional facts, are true and waivers and other provisions as required by the Commission's Rules; and

The Commission having thereafter considered the matter and having determined that it had reason to believe that the respondent has violated the said Act, and that a complaint should issue stating its charges in that respect, and having thereupon accepted the executed consent agreement and placed such agreement on the public record for a period of sixty (60) days, now in further conformity with the procedure prescribed in § 2.34 of its Rules, the Commission hereby issues its complaint, makes the following jurisdictional findings and enters the following order:

Respondent South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association is a corporation organized, existing and doing business under and by virtue of the laws of the State of California, with its principal place of business located at P.O. Box 5746, South Lake Tahoe, California 96157.
The Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction of the subject matter of this proceeding and of the respondent, and the proceeding is in the public interest.

ORDER

IT IS ORDERED that for the purposes of this Order, "respondent" or "SLTLA" shall mean the South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association, its predecessors, successors and assigns, and its directors, committees, officers, delegates, representatives, agents and employees.

II.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that SLTLA, directly or indirectly, or through any person or any corporate or other device, in or in connection with its activities as a trade association, in or affecting commerce, as "commerce" is defined in the Federal Trade Commission Act, shall forthwith cease and desist from carrying out, participating in, inducing, suggesting, urging, encouraging, or assisting any agreement, combination or conspiracy with its members, or agreement, combination or conspiracy with some of its members, to restrict the posting of signs advertising the prices at which its individual members offer lodging;

Provided, however, that nothing in this order shall be construed to prevent respondent or its members from exercising rights protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution to petition any federal, state or local government executive agency or legislative body concerning legislation, rules, programs, or procedures, or to participate in any federal, state or local administrative or judicial proceeding.

III.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that SLTLA shall:

A. Within sixty (60) days after the date this Order becomes final, amend its by- laws to incorporate by reference Paragraph II of this Order, and distribute by first-class mail a copy of the amended by-laws to each of its members;

B. Within thirty (30) days after the date this Order becomes final, distribute by first-class mail a copy of this Order and the Complaint to each of its members;

C. For a period of five (5) years after the date this Order becomes final, provide each new member with a copy of this Order, the Complaint, and the amended by-laws within thirty (30) days of the new member’s admission to SLTLA; and

D. Within seventy-five (75) days after the date this Order becomes final, and annually thereafter for a period of five (5) years on the anniversary of the date this Order becomes final, file with the Secretary of the Commission a verified written report setting forth in detail the manner and form in which SLTLA has complied with and is complying with this Order.

IV.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that SLTLA shall notify the Commission at least thirty (30) days prior to any change in SLTLA, such as dissolution or reorganization resulting in the emergence of a successor corporation or association, or any other change in the corporation that may affect compliance obligations arising out of this Order.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that for the purposes of determining or securing compliance with this Order, respondent shall permit any duly authorized representative of the Commission:

A. Upon seven (7) days notice to respondent, to have access, during office hours and in the presence of counsel, to inspect and copy all books, ledgers, accounts, correspondence, memoranda and other records and documents in the possession or under the control of respondent relating to any matters contained in this Order; and

B. Upon seven (7) days notice to respondent and without restraint or interference from it, to interview directors, committees, officers, delegates, representatives, agents and employees.

VI.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Order shall terminate on October 7, 2018.

By the Commission,

Donald S. Clark
Secretary

ISSUED: October 7, 1998