[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1583 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1583
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a refundable tax
credit for recreational travel costs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 25, 2001
Mr. Nelson of Florida introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a refundable tax
credit for recreational travel costs, 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 ``Travel and Tourism Promotion Act of
2001''.
TITLE I--TAX PROVISIONS
SEC. 2. CONSUMER TRAVEL TAX CREDIT.
(a) In General.--Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to refundable personal
credits) is amended by redesignating section 35 as section 36 and
inserting after section 34 the following:
``SEC. 35. CONSUMER TRAVEL CREDIT.
``(a) Allowance of Credit.--In the case of an individual, there
shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle
for the taxable year an amount equal to the qualified consumer travel
expenses which are paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable
year.
``(b) Maximum Credit.--The credit allowed to a taxpayer under
subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed $500 ($1000, in
the case of a joint return), reduced by the amount of credit allowed
under subsection (a) for all preceding taxable years.
``(c) Qualified Consumer Travel Expenses.--For purposes of this
section--
``(1) In general.--The term `qualified consumer travel
expenses' means reasonable expenses in connection with a
qualifying personal trip for--
``(A) travel by aircraft, rail, watercraft, or
commercial motor vehicle, and
``(B) lodging while away from home at any
commercial lodging facility.
Such term does not include expenses for meals, entertainment,
amusement, or recreation.
``(2) Qualifying personal trip.--
``(A) In general.--The term `qualifying personal
trip' means leisure travel within the United States
which is taken on or after October 1, 2001, and before
January 1, 2003.
``(B) Only personal travel included.--Such term
shall not include travel if, without regard to this
section, any expenses in connection with such travel
are deductible in connection with a trade or business
or activity for the production of income.
``(C) United states.--The term `United States'
includes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and a
possession of the United States (as defined in section
936).
``(3) Commercial lodging facility.--The term `commercial
lodging facility' includes any hotel, motel, resort, rooming
house, or campground
``(d) Special Rules.--
``(1) Denial of credit to dependents.--No credit shall be
allowed under this section to any individual with respect to
whom a deduction under section 151 is allowable to another
taxpayer for a taxable year beginning in the calendar year in
which such individual's taxable year begins.
``(2) Expenses must be substantiated.--No credit shall be
allowed by subsection (a) unless the taxpayer substantiates by
adequate records or by sufficient evidence corroborating the
taxpayer's own statement the amount of the expenses described
in subsection (c)(1).
``(e) Denial of Double Benefit.--No deduction shall be allowed
under this chapter for any expense for which credit is allowed under
this section.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended by inserting before the period ``, or
from section 35 of such Code''.
(2) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of
subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
is amended by striking the last item and inserting the
following new items:
``Sec. 35. Consumer travel credit.
``Sec. 36. Overpayments of tax.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to amounts paid on or after the date of enactment of this Act,
and before January 1, 2003.
TITLE II--TRAVEL AND TOURISM PROMOTION BUREAU
SEC. 21. UNITED STATES TRAVEL AND TOURISM PROMOTION BUREAU.
(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department of
Commerce a United States Travel and Tourism Promotion Bureau (in this
title referred to as the ``Bureau'').
(b) Purpose.--The Bureau shall--
(1) work to help restore consumer confidence in travel in
the two years following the September 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks on the United States; and
(2) work in conjunction with private industry and industry
employee representatives to design and implement public service
announcements and advertising to promote tourism, encouraging
Americans and foreign visitors to rediscover the nation's
treasures.
(c) Powers.--To carry out the purposes of this title, the Bureau
may--
(1) distribute funds to any travel and tourism related
organization or association;
(2) enter into contracts with private organizations or
business;
(3) utilize up to three existing employees of the
Department of Commerce, as may be assigned by the Secretary;
and
(4) conduct any and all acts necessary and proper to carry
out the purposes of this title.
SEC. 22. UNITED STATES TRAVEL AND TOURISM PROMOTION BUREAU ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--There is established a United States Travel and
Tourism Promotion Bureau Advisory Committee (in this title referred to
as the ``Advisory Committee'') for the purpose of recommending
activities to the Bureau.
(b) Members.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall appoint the members of the
Advisory Committee of whom--
(1) 1 member shall be a representative of the aviation
industry;
(2) 1 member shall be a representative of airline workers;
(3) 1 member shall be a representative of the hotel
industry;
(4) 1 member shall be a representative of hotel workers;
(5) 1 member shall be a representative of the restaurant
industry;
(6) 1 member shall be a representative of restaurant
workers;
(7) 1 member shall be a representative of amusement parks;
and
(8) 1 member shall be a member of the Rural Tourism
Foundation.
(c) Chair.--The Advisory Committee shall elect a Chair for an
initial term of 6 months. After such initial term, the Chair shall be
elected for such term as the Committee may designate.
(d) Vacancies.--If a vacancy occurs in the membership of the
Committee, the Secretary of Commerce shall fill the vacancy, provided
that the membership of the Committee remains consistent with subsection
(b).
SEC. 23. QUARTERLY REPORTING PROVISION.
Not less than once every 90 days, the Bureau shall report to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives
regarding--
(1) the activities of the Bureau to promote travel and
tourism; and
(2) the state of the travel and tourism industry.
SEC. 24. SUNSET.
The provisions of this title shall terminate on the date that is 2
years after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 25. APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding the provisions of the 2001
Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Recovery from and
Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States, of the amounts made
available under such Act not less than $60,000,000 shall be available
solely for the purpose of carrying out this title.
(b) Availability of Funds.--The funds made available under
subsection (a) shall remain available without fiscal year limitation
until expended, but not later than September 31, 2003.
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