Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-3375
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2021-12-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Aviation and airports
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Department of Commerce
Disaster relief and insurance
Economic performance and conditions
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health technology, devices, supplies
Historical and cultural resources
Immigration status and procedures
Infectious and parasitic diseases
International organizations and cooperation
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Labor market
Mammals
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Natural disasters
Professional sports
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Right of privacy
Rural conditions and development
Service animals
Terrorism
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security
Travel and tourism
Unemployment
Visas and passports
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: 

Omnibus Tourism Act of 2021

 
This bill addresses measures to support the U.S. travel and tourism industry with a specific focus on assisting the industry recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The bill establishes the office of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism. Among other responsibilities, the Assistant Secretary must develop and implement a strategy to assist the U.S. travel and tourism industry to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also provides statutory authority for the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and directs the board to assist with the recovery strategy.
 
Additionally, the Department of Commerce must study the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment rates, business revenues, and other aspects of the travel and tourism industry and provide policy recommendations to promote the industry.
 
Further, the Department of Health and Human Services must establish a joint federal task force to address health, safety, security, and other logistical issues affecting air travel during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill establishes a committee comprised of representatives of airports, aviation workers, and other stakeholders to advise the task force.
 
In addition, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) must study the feasibility of using dogs to detect the presence of the virus that causes COVID-19 as part of airport security screenings. The TSA may also establish a pilot program at up to six foreign airports to allow passengers departing from those airports to bypass domestic security rescreening at a connecting airport in the United States.

action_date: 2021-12-17
text: 

Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act of 2021

 
This bill addresses measures to support the U.S. travel and tourism industry with a specific focus recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The bill establishes the office of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism. Among other responsibilities, the Assistant Secretary must develop and implement a strategy to assist the U.S. travel and tourism industry to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also provides statutory authority for the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and directs the board to assist with the recovery strategy.
 
Additionally, the Department of Commerce must study the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment, revenue, and other aspects of the travel and tourism industry and provide policy recommendations to promote the industry. Commerce must also publish trends in domestic travel and tourism.
 
Further, the Department of Health and Human Services must establish a joint federal task force to address health, safety, security, and other logistical issues affecting air travel during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill establishes a committee comprised of representatives of airports and other aviation stakeholders to advise the task force.
 
In addition, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) must study the feasibility of using dogs to detect the presence of the virus that causes COVID-19 as part of airport security screenings. The TSA may also establish a pilot program at up to six foreign airports to allow passengers departing from those airports to bypass domestic security rescreening at a connecting airport in the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-10-18
text: By Senator Cantwell from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report under authority of the order of the Senate of 10/14/2022. Report No. 117-191.
action_date: 2022-10-18
text: By Senator Cantwell from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report under authority of the order of the Senate of 10/14/2022. Report No. 117-191.
action_date: 2021-12-17
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 229.
action_date: 2021-12-17
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-12-17
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-12-15
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in Senate