117 S115 RS: Protecting Tourism in the United States Act
U.S. Senate
2021-12-16
text/xml
EN
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II
Calendar No. 192
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 115
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 28, 2021
Ms. Klobuchar (for herself, Mr. Blunt, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Cramer, and Ms. Sinema) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
December 16, 2021
Reported by Ms. Cantwell, with amendments
Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic
A BILL
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.
1.

Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Protecting Tourism in the United States Act”.
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, and an analysis of regional economies on a per capita basis during the pandemic period and the projected effects of such changes on the regional and overall economy of the United States following the pandemic period; and
(5)
reports on the economic impact of COVID-19 issued by other Federal agencies to-date; and
(5 )
(6)
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.
December 16, 2021
Reported with amendments