Protecting Tourism in the United States Act
Bill: H.R.2299 | Sponsor: Rep. Castor, Kathy (D-FL)
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
Protecting Tourism in the United States Act
This bill requires the Department of Commerce to study and report on the effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on the travel and tourism industry, including considerations of changes in industry employment rates and business revenues during the pandemic.
In conducting this study, Commerce must consult with industry representatives and provide an opportunity for public comment and advice, and its report must include policy recommendations for promoting and assisting the travel and tourism industry.

To direct the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study and submit to 
Congress a report on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the travel 
   and tourism industry in the United States, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Tourism in the United 
States Act''.

SEC. 2. STUDY AND REPORT ON EFFECTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON TRAVEL AND 
              TOURISM INDUSTRY IN UNITED STATES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the United 
States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and the head of any other 
Federal agency the Secretary considers appropriate, shall complete a 
study on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the travel and tourism 
industry, including various segments of the travel and tourism 
industry, such as domestic, international, leisure, business, 
conventions, meetings, and events.
    (b) Matters for Consideration.--In conducting the study required by 
subsection (a) and the interim study required by subsection (e)(1), the 
Secretary shall consider--
            (1) changes in employment rates in the travel and tourism 
        industry during the pandemic period;
            (2) changes in revenues of businesses in the travel and 
        tourism industry during the pandemic period;
            (3) changes in employment and sales in industries related 
        to the travel and tourism industry, and changes in 
        contributions of the travel and tourism industry to such 
        related industries, during the pandemic period;
            (4) the effects attributable to the changes described in 
        paragraphs (1) through (3) in the travel and tourism industry 
        and such related industries on the overall economy of the 
        United States during the pandemic period and the projected 
        effects of such changes on the overall economy of the United 
        States following the pandemic period; and
            (5) any additional matters the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.
    (c) Consultation and Public Comment.--In conducting the study 
required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
            (1) consult with representatives of--
                    (A) the small business sector;
                    (B) the restaurant or food service sector;
                    (C) the hotel and alternative accommodations 
                sector;
                    (D) the attractions or recreations sector;
                    (E) the travel distribution services sector;
                    (F) destination marketing organizations;
                    (G) State tourism offices; and
                    (H) the passenger air, railroad, and rental car 
                sectors; and
            (2) provide an opportunity for public comment and advice 
        relevant to conducting the study.
    (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 6 months after the date on 
which the study required by subsection (a) is completed, the Secretary, 
in consultation with the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory 
Board and the head of any other Federal agency the Secretary considers 
appropriate, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate, and make publicly available on the 
website of the Department of Commerce, a report that contains--
            (1) the results of such study; and
            (2) policy recommendations for promoting and assisting the 
        travel and tourism industry.
    (e) Interim Study and Report.--Not later than 3 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, after consultation 
with relevant stakeholders, including the United States Travel and 
Tourism Advisory Board, shall--
            (1) complete an interim study, which shall be based on data 
        available at the time when the study is conducted and provide a 
        framework for the study required by subsection (a), on the 
        effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (as of such time) on the 
        travel and tourism industry, including various segments of the 
        travel and tourism industry, such as domestic, international, 
        leisure, business, conventions, meetings, and events; and
            (2) submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
        House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and make publicly 
        available on the website of the Department of Commerce, an 
        interim report that contains the results of the interim study 
        required by paragraph (1).
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Pandemic period.--The term ``pandemic period'' has the 
        meaning given the term ``emergency period'' in section 
        1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b-
        5(g)(1)(B)), excluding any portion of such period after the 
        date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
        Act.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Commerce.
            (3) Travel and tourism industry.--The term ``travel and 
        tourism industry'' means the travel and tourism industry in the 
        United States.
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