    [House Hearing, 119 Congress]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                    DAYLIGHT AND DESTINATIONS: EXAMINING TIME,
                               TRAVEL, AND TOURISM
    =======================================================================

                                    HEARING

                                   BEFORE THE

                       SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, MANUFACTURING,
                                      AND TRADE

                                     OF THE

                        COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE
                            HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                        ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS

                                 FIRST SESSION

                                   __________

                               NOVEMBER 20, 2025

                                   __________

                               Serial No. 119-43

    [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

         Published for the use of the Committee on Energy and Commerce

                       govinfo.gov/committee/house-energy
                            energycommerce.house.gov

                                   __________

                          U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
    62-149 PDF                    WASHINGTON : 2026
    =======================================================================

                      COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE

                            BRETT GUTHRIE, Kentucky
                                     Chairman
    ROBERT E. LATTA, Ohio                FRANK PALLONE, Jr., New Jersey
    H. MORGAN GRIFFITH, Virginia           Ranking Member
    GUS M. BILIRAKIS, Florida            DIANA DeGETTE, Colorado
    RICHARD HUDSON, North Carolina       JAN SCHAKOWSKY, Illinois
    EARL L. ``BUDDY'' CARTER, Georgia    DORIS O. MATSUI, California
    GARY J. PALMER, Alabama              KATHY CASTOR, Florida
    NEAL P. DUNN, Florida, Vice          PAUL TONKO, New York
        Chairman                         YVETTE D. CLARKE, New York
    DAN CRENSHAW, Texas                  RAUL RUIZ, California
    JOHN JOYCE, Pennsylvania             SCOTT H. PETERS, California
    RANDY K. WEBER, Sr., Texas           DEBBIE DINGELL, Michigan
    RICK W. ALLEN, Georgia               MARC A. VEASEY, Texas
    TROY BALDERSON, Ohio                 ROBIN L. KELLY, Illinois
    RUSS FULCHER, Idaho                  NANETTE DIAZ BARRAGAN, California
    AUGUST PFLUGER, Texas                DARREN SOTO, Florida
    DIANA HARSHBARGER, Tennessee         KIM SCHRIER, Washington
    MARIANNETTE MILLER-MEEKS, Iowa       LORI TRAHAN, Massachusetts
    KAT CAMMACK, Florida                 LIZZIE FLETCHER, Texas
    JAY OBERNOLTE, California            ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ, New York
    JOHN JAMES, Michigan                 JAKE AUCHINCLOSS, Massachusetts
    CLIFF BENTZ, Oregon                  TROY A. CARTER, Louisiana
    ERIN HOUCHIN, Indiana                ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
    RUSSELL FRY, South Carolina          KEVIN MULLIN, California
    LAUREL M. LEE, Florida               GREG LANDSMAN, Ohio
    NICHOLAS A. LANGWORTHY, New York     JENNIFER L. McCLELLAN, Virginia
    THOMAS H. KEAN, Jr., New Jersey
    MICHAEL A. RULLI, Ohio
    GABE EVANS, Colorado
    CRAIG A. GOLDMAN, Texas
    JULIE FEDORCHAK, North Dakota
                                     ------

                               Professional Staff

                         MEGAN JACKSON, Staff Director
                    SOPHIE KHANAHMADI, Deputy Staff Director
                   TIFFANY GUARASCIO, Minority Staff Director
               Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade

                           GUS M. BILIRAKIS, Florida
                                     Chairman
    RUSS FULCHER, Idaho, Vice Chairman   JAN SCHAKOWSKY, Illinois
    NEAL P. DUNN, Florida                  Ranking Member
    KAT CAMMACK, Florida                 KATHY CASTOR, Florida
    JAY OBERNOLTE, California            DARREN SOTO, Florida
    JOHN JAMES, Michigan                 LORI TRAHAN, Massachusetts
    CLIFF BENTZ, Oregon                  KEVIN MULLIN, California
    ERIN HOUCHIN, Indiana                YVETTE D. CLARKE, New York
    RUSSELL FRY, South Carolina          DEBBIE DINGELL, Michigan
    LAUREL M. LEE, Florida               MARC A. VEASEY, Texas
    THOMAS H. KEAN, Jr., New Jersey      ROBIN L. KELLY, Illinois
    GABE EVANS, Colorado                 KIM SCHRIER, Washington
    CRAIG A. GOLDMAN, Texas              FRANK PALLONE, Jr., New Jersey (ex
    BRETT GUTHRIE, Kentucky (ex              officio)
        officio)
                                 C O N T E N T S

                                  ----------
                                                                       Page
    Hon. Gus M. Bilirakis, a Representative in Congress from the
      State of Florida, opening statement............................     2
        Prepared statement...........................................     4
    Hon. Jan Schakowsky, a Representative in Congress from the State
      of Illinois, opening statement.................................     5
        Prepared statement...........................................     6
    Hon. Kathy Castor, a Representative in Congress from the State of
      Florida, prepared statement....................................     8
    Hon. Brett Guthrie, a Representative in Congress from the
      Commonwealth of Kentucky, opening statement....................     9
        Prepared statement...........................................    11
    Hon. Frank Pallone, Jr., a Representative in Congress from the
      State of New Jersey, opening statement.........................    13
        Prepared statement...........................................    15

                                   Witnesses

    Rosanna Maietta, President and Chief Executive Officer, American
      Hotel and Lodging Association..................................    17
        Prepared statement...........................................    19
    Tyler J. Kleppe, Ph.D., EY Associate Professor of Accounting,
      University of Kentucky.........................................    31
        Prepared statement...........................................    33
    Lisa Simon, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director,
      International Inbound Travel Association.......................    37
        Prepared statement...........................................    39
    Jay Karen, Chief Executive Officer, National Golf Course Owners
      Association of America.........................................    50
        Prepared statement...........................................    52

                               Submitted Material

    Inclusion of the following was approved by unanimous consent.
    List of documents submitted for the record.......................   101
    Report by Rockport Analytics. ``The 2024 Economic & Fiscal Impact
      of Tourism in Florida'' \1\
    Report, ``Visit Florida's Integrated Marketing Effectiveness
      Results Summary for Fiscal Year 2024/25,'' November 2025 \1\
    Letter of November 17, 2025, from Jay Pea, President, Save
      Standard Time, to Members of Congress..........................   102
    Statement of Dr. David Prerau, November 2025.....................   110
    Letter of November 20, 2025, from the Coalition for Permanent
      Standard Time, to Mr. Bilirakis and Ms. Schakowsky.............   112
    Letter of November 19, 2025, from Nic Anderson, Vice President of
      Public Policy, National Religious Broadcasters, to Mr.
      Bilirakis, et al...............................................   115
    Letter of November 19, from Zane Kerby, President and Chief
      Executive Officer, American Society of Travel Advisors, to Mr.
      Bilirakis and Ms. Schakowsky...................................   118

    ----------

    \1\ The report has been retained in committee files and is included in
    the Documents for the Record at http://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF17/
    20251120/118693/HHRG-119-IF17-20251120-SD003.pdf.
    Statement of Laura Chadwick, President and Chief Executive
      Officer, Travel Technology Association, November 20, 2025......   123
    Letter of November 27, 2025, from Agudath Israel of America to
      subcommittee members...........................................   126
    Letter of November 20, 2025, from Terry Dale, President and Chief
      Executive Officer, United States Tour Operators Association, to
      Mr. Bilirakis and Ms. Schakowsky...............................   130

         DAYLIGHT AND DESTINATIONS: EXAMINING TIME, TRAVEL, AND TOURISM

                                  ----------

                          THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2025

                      House of Representatives,
    Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade,
                              Committee on Energy and Commerce,
                                                        Washington, DC.
        The subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10:03 a.m., in
    the John D. Dingell Room 2123, Rayburn House Office Building,
    Hon. Gus Bilirakis (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.
        Members present: Representatives Bilirakis, Dunn, Cammack,
    Obernolte, James, Bentz, Houchin, Fry, Lee, Kean, Evans,
    Goldman, Guthrie (ex officio), Schakowsky (subcommittee ranking
    member), Castor, Soto, Trahan, Clarke, Veasey, and Pallone (ex
    officio).
        Also present: Representative Carter of Georgia.
        Staff present: Ansley Boylan, Director of Operations;
    Jessica Donlon, General Counsel; Sydney Greene, Director of
    Finance and Logistics; Natalie Hellman, Professional Staff
    Member, Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade; Calvin Huggins,
    Clerk, Energy; Megan Jackson, Staff Director; AT Johnson,
    Special Advisor; Daniel Kelly, Press Secretary; Sophie
    Khanahmadi, Deputy Staff Director; Alex Khlopin, Policy
    Analyst, Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade; Brayden Lacefield,
    Special Assistant; Giulia Leganski, Chief Counsel, Commerce,
    Manufacturing, and Trade; Sarah Meier, Counsel and
    Parliamentarian; Joel Miller, Chief Counsel; Seth Ricketts,
    Special Assistant; Chris Sarley, Member Services/Stakeholder
    Director; Matt VanHyfte, Communications Director; Jane Vickers,
    Press Assistant; Hannah Anton, Minority Policy Analyst; Keegan
    Cardman, Minority Staff Assistant; Kelly Fabian, Minority Chief
    Counsel, Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade; Tiffany Guarascio,
    Minority Staff Director; Jackson Hall, Minority Intern; Megan
    Kanne, Minority Professional Staff Member; Shae Reinberg,
    Minority Intern; Andrew Souvall, Minority Director of
    Communications, Outreach, and Member Services; and Hannah
    Treger, Minority Staff Assistant.
        Mr. Bilirakis. The committee will come to order.
        The chairman recognizes himself for 5 minutes for an
    opening statement.

    OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS, A REPRESENTATIVE IN
                   CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA

        Good morning, everyone. It is great to be back. Welcome to
    today's hearing examining time, travel, and tourism, and how
    they can strengthen our economy and our communities.
        Thank you to all the witnesses for being here today. We
    appreciate you so much.
        So, for me, this topic is personal. It hits home. I grew up
    in Tarpon Springs, Florida, in a strong Greek community where
    the Sponge Docks and our annual Epiphany celebration have
    welcomed visitors from around the world for generations.
        In Florida's 12th Congressional District of Citrus,
    Hernando, and Pasco Counties, tourism supports family-owned
    restaurants, hotels, and outfitters, helping to sustain our
    Nature Coast way of life.
        In Crystal River, you can swim with the manatees. In Weeki
    Wachee Springs, you can see the famous live mermaid show. And
    in Pasco County, Pasco County is home to a vibrant sports
    tourism industry with countless kayaking, waterways, and the
    AdventHealth ice rink, which just had the Wounded Warrior
    competition for hockey.
        I know it is in Florida, but we have great hockey there.
    And it attracted over 630 people that participated in that
    particular tournament and their families.
        So to further highlight the importance of tourism in the
    State of Florida, I would like to introduce for the record a
    study commissioned by Visit Florida showing tourism's economic
    impact in the State as well as Visit Florida's Marketing
    Effectiveness Survey revealing tourist preferences and ways to
    boost demand.
        No objection, so ordered.
        [The information appears at the conclusion of the hearing.]
        Mr. Bilirakis. Nationwide, travelers spent roughly $1.3
    trillion last year, generating nearly $3 trillion in economic
    output and supporting over 15 million jobs. International
    visitors alone spent over $250 billion.
        As we prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los
    Angeles Olympics, we have a once-in-a-generation runway to
    welcome the world and spread those benefits to communities
    large and small, not to mention that we are celebrating the
    250-year anniversary of our great country next year.
        The critical tool here is Brand USA, folks--I think you
    know that--our public-private partnership that markets American
    destinations abroad.
        I was proud to author the bipartisan Travel Promotion,
    Enhancement, and Modernization Act of 2014 to reauthorize Brand
    USA, because it helps attract visitors without relying on
    taxpayer dollars for funding.
        We should ensure Brand USA remains strong and accountable
    as the global competition for travelers intensifies.
        To achieve that, I filed legislation yesterday with my
    partner in the Tampa Bay area, Ms. Castor, to increase funding
    for Brand USA as we gear up for America's 250 celebration. Dina
    Titus also is a primary cosponsor from the great State of
    Nevada.
        Today, we will also examine the tradeoffs to commerce,
    health, and safety that come with daylight saving time and any
    adjustments to our clock-changing practices. Many argue that
    more evening daylight boosts consumer activity and tourism.
    Others raise valid concerns about sleep, road safety, and
    school routines.
        Our job is to take actions that help American workers,
    businesses, of course, and visitors alike so we can deliver
    wins for communities like mine--and, of course, yours--giving
    families and businesses the opportunity and certainty, whether
    we lock the clock or maintain the status quo.
        So thank you to the witnesses.
        I also want to mention that we have spring training in the
    State of Florida, and that attracts a lot of economic--a lot of
    tourism. And we need one more team in the Tampa Bay area. So if
    anybody has any ideas, let us know.
        [The prepared statement of Mr. Bilirakis follows:]
        [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Mr. Bilirakis. The chairman recognizes the ranking member,
    Ms. Schakowsky, for her 5 minutes for an opening statement.
        I yield back.

     OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JAN SCHAKOWSKY, A REPRESENTATIVE IN
                  CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF ILLINOIS

        Ms. Schakowsky. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        I hate to say this, but I believe that President Trump has
    contributed to a decrease right now in the people who want to
    come to the United States of America. That is right. We have
    seen a decrease in the people who are coming to visit us.
        And I want to tell you that even people who are citizens of
    the United States of America often are mistaken as people who
    are foreign and taken away for a while until it is finally true
    that they are actually sometimes citizens and certainly members
    in the United States of America.
        So we have seen a real decrease in the number of people who
    feel safe in coming to the United States, and that is a real--
    that is a serious problem.
        I know that we are well aware that we want to have people
    come here and visit, but we have seen a 25 percent decrease in
    the number of people who have come here from Canada, who used
    to be our good friends, and they are not interested in seeing
    them coming into the United States right now. Of course, they
    are certainly not welcomed. And this is a real problem right
    now.
        And so I just want to say that in Illinois there are people
    being grabbed and sent, whether or not they are citizens or
    not, depending on how they look. It has been a real trauma in
    my State, something that we do not need.
        We want people to feel comfortable. We want them to come to
    our events that we have here. And I think some people are very
    nervous about that.
        So I am going to yield now to Senator Castor to talk about
    this important issue, because we need to have people come and
    be welcomed to the United States.
        [The prepared statement of Ms. Schakowsky follows:]
        [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Ms. Schakowsky. I yield to you.
        Ms. Castor. Well, thank you, Ranking Member Schakowsky.
        And I want to thank Chair Bilirakis and our witnesses.
        All of these topics are very important to the State of
    Florida, where we have no shortage of sunshine, and travel and
    tourism are the bedrocks of our economy and our small
    businesses and our way of life.
        Just last year, Florida welcomed over 143 million visitors.
    And all across the United States last year, travel and tourism
    generated $2.9 trillion in economic output, supported over 15
    million jobs, generated large amounts of local and State tax
    revenue.
        And part of that success is due to Brand USA. Brand USA was
    created by the Congress in the Travel Promotion Act of 2009. It
    is a public and private partnership that promotes the United
    States to international tourists. In the last 12 years, their
    efforts have contributed big time to visitors to the United
    States.
        And next year, the U.S.--in the State of Florida we are
    going to welcome a lot of international visitors due to the
    World Cup. And then on the horizon, we have the Olympics, the
    Paralympics, USA 250, and the Women's World Cup in the outer
    years.
        Those are huge draws, but local economies also rely on a
    consistent return of visitors year after year to the beautiful,
    diverse beaches, mountains, and trails that America has to
    offer.
        I want to mention that the temperature today in Tampa/St.
    Pete is going to be about 82 degrees and sunny. And we love our
    tourists, because this is a clean industry that really provides
    enormous opportunities.
        So I see my time is running out. I will have more to say. I
    want to thank Chair Bilirakis for leading the charge to
    introduce the bipartisan VISIT USA Act. I am proud to be your
    partner on that and look forward to our discussion today.
        [The prepared statement of Ms. Castor follows:]
        [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Ms. Castor. Thank you. I yield back.
        Mr. Bilirakis. Thank you very much. The gentlelady yields
    back.
        And now we will recognize the chairman of the full
    committee, Mr. Guthrie, for 5 minutes for an opening statement.

     OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. BRETT GUTHRIE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN
               CONGRESS FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY

        Mr. Guthrie. Thank you, Chairman Bilirakis, and thanks for
    having this hearing.
        And thank you to our witnesses for being here.
        When I looked at the title of this hearing, I realized how
    important punctuation is--Ms. Tees from English high school--
    because if you didn't use the commas, this would be ``time
    travel tourism,'' but it is ``time, travel, and tourism.''
        So thanks for being here and thanks for having this
    hearing.
        So in Kentucky, travel and tourism are essential to our
    economy. In my district, the city of Bowling Green draws
    visitors from around the globe, whether they are touring the
    National Corvette Museum or exploring the expansive caves,
    caverns, and underground rivers in Mammoth Cave National Park
    or Abraham Lincoln's birthplace.
        Those experiences don't just showcase Kentucky's beauty and
    ingenuity, they fuel local jobs and economic opportunity, just
    the vast--tourists that go to the national park, not just the
    national park but the surrounding communities who also have
    caves--not every cave is in Caves National Park--and have
    tourism as well and the things that work for our tourists.
        So you can talk about travel and tourism in Kentucky. You
    can't talk about it without talking about the Kentucky Derby.
    It is one of the largest drivers of tourism across the country.
        It is like we have a Super Bowl every year in Louisville.
    The 2025 Derby brought an estimated $441 million to our State.
    And that impact goes beyond the city limits of Louisville. It
    has significant impact on the entire Commonwealth and even the
    national economy.
        And our Bourbon Trail is a great example of tourism, and it
    brings people from around the world.
        But one factor that has outsize impact on our robust travel
    and tourism industry in the U.S. is the twice-annual clock-
    changing practice as a result of daylight savings time.
        And my good friend from Florida is going to learn that her
    young daughter will not understand when the time changes, so
    she is going to be on a body schedule, not on a clock schedule.
    So it is always great to have Peanut in the room, so that is
    wonderful.
        But shifting from 1 hour of sunlight from the beginning to
    the end of the day or vice versa can have different impacts on
    people's ability to exercise outside, attend live events, or
    attract customers to the retail business.
        In my district, I live right on the line where it divides.
    And so I have communities that are eastern and communities in
    my district that are in central time zone. And so it is a
    personal decision, and each place needs to look at how they
    observe daylight savings time. And time would have real and
    varied impacts for families.
        If you think about it, Bardstown, Kentucky, has the same
    time as Portland, Maine, but the sun comes up about an hour and
    a half earlier in Portland, Maine, than it does in Bardstown
    and sets an hour and a half earlier than it does in Bardstown.
        Bowling Green, where I live, I have the exact same time as
    my good friend from Fort Worth, Mr. Goldman, but the sun rises
    for us an hour earlier and sets an hour earlier than it does,
    maybe a little over an hour.
        So these are things we really need to discuss, and I am
    glad that we are.
        And I have heard a range of arguments for and against
    biannual time change, including the impact, more or less, of
    sunlight so our children can safely travel to and from school
    and back. It impacts energy efficiency as well as concerns from
    Kentucky farmers, who say the time change disrupts their
    morning harvest.
        No matter where we fall on the issue, I know that many of
    us have heard directly from our constituents about this topic.
    And given our committee's significant responsibility to oversee
    issues affecting interstate commerce, it is imperative that we
    revisit policies like daylight savings time regularly to ensure
    Federal law appropriately reflects the interests of all
    Americans.
        Thank you again to our witnesses for joining us today, and
    I am looking forward to our conversation.
        [The prepared statement of Mr. Guthrie follows:]
        [GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Mr. Guthrie. And I will yield back.
        Mr. Bilirakis. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate it.
        Now I will recognize the ranking member of the full
    committee, Mr. Pallone, for 5 minutes.

    OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. FRANK PALLONE, Jr., A REPRESENTATIVE
                IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

        Mr. Pallone. Thank you, Chairman Bilirakis.
        Today, we are discussing travel, tourism, and time. As
    Americans, we are extremely fortunate to have such a large and
    diverse ntion to explore, from our beautiful national parks and
    historic sites to world-famous theme parks and concert and
    sports venues.
        The U.S. provides a travel experience with something for
    everyone to enjoy. And tourism contributes trillions of dollars
    to our economy every year, creating jobs and supporting local
    businesses.
        Now, in my district, which is along the Jersey Shore,
    tourists can enjoy beautiful coastal areas with serene beaches,
    embark on fishing ventures along the Atlantic Coast, explore
    the music scene at iconic venues like the Stone Pony, and so
    much more.
        So last year alone, New Jersey welcomed more than 120
    million visitors to our State, and they contributed more than
    $50 billion to our State's economy.
        People around the world also recognize the top-tier travel
    experience America has to offer. Over the next decade, the U.S.
    will host many major world events. It has been mentioned by my
    colleagues, the Olympics and Paralympics, FIFA World Cup. I am
    proud to say that New Jersey will host multiple matches of the
    World Cup, including the final game, next summer.
        And major world events present an opportunity for growth in
    the tourism sector that will bolster our economy, create jobs,
    and allow us to showcase all that America has to offer. And we
    must ensure that cities across the country are able to reap the
    full benefits of these major events.
        Unfortunately, the tourism industry is suffering. The Trump
    administration's hostile trade policies and harsh immigration
    actions have caused numerous countries, including Germany,
    Canada, and the U.K., to issue travel warnings to their
    citizens looking to visit the United States.
        High visa fees, stories of legal tourists being wrongfully
    detained at the border and treated cruelly by immigration
    agents, and strained diplomatic relationships discourage
    travelers from visiting our country because they simply do not
    feel welcome.
        And we are already feeling the economic impacts. The
    International Trade Administration reported that travel
    spending is down almost 3 percent from this time last year.
        If these trends continue, our economy could lose billions
    of dollars this year.
        And we must ensure that travelers feel safe and welcome in
    the United States. We can't afford not to, frankly.
        So for American families, rising costs on everyday
    essentials are forcing them to rethink travel plans. Republican
    policies are driving up prices for Americans on everything from
    groceries to healthcare premiums to their monthly power bills.
        And as budgets get tighter, many Americans are cutting back
    on travel. Studies have shown that more than half of Americans
    are traveling less because of economic concerns.
        So we know the U.S. has a lot to offer tourists, and our
    economy, jobs, and small businesses have much to gain from a
    thriving tourism industry, so we have to reverse course to
    encourage travel, both domestic and international, and ensure
    that international travelers choose the U.S. as a travel
    destination and that American families can afford to see this
    incredible nation from coast to coast.
        Now, I know we are also discussing daylight savings time
    today.
        Changing our clocks twice a year disturbs our natural sleep
    cycles, impacts productivity, and has been shown to be harmful
    to our health.
        Most people I talk to would like to have a set time that
    doesn't change. But, unfortunately, we have not been able to
    come up with any consensus on the best solution of how to do
    that. Everyone has an opinion, particularly around the days
    that we either spring forward or fall back, but finding
    consensus has been difficult.
        So I know this is an important issue. It also showcases our
    jurisdiction. Mr. Dingell, one of our former chairmen who is
    probably the most famous chairman of this committee, would
    often say that the Energy and Commerce Committee has
    jurisdiction over the world.
        I don't know that he ever mentioned time, but I think when
    I tell people, ``Oh, we have jurisdiction over time,'' they are
    very impressed. Maybe they shouldn't be, but they are. So it is
    certainly something we should discuss.
        But I had a real hard time, Mr. Chairman, getting any kind
    of consensus amongst Democrats or Republicans or the Senate or
    the House. So I know this is going to be difficult.
        But I do think most people think that we shouldn't be going
    back and forth, but then they don't agree on where we stay.
        So I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today, and
    yield back, Mr. Chairman.
        [The prepared statement of Mr. Pallone follows:]
        [GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Mr. Bilirakis. Thank you. I appreciate it very much.
        The gentleman yields back.
        Now our witnesses for today.
        Ms. Rosanna Maietta, president and CEO of the American
    Hotel and Lodging Association.
        Welcome.
        Dr. Tyler J. Kleppe, EY Associate Professor of Accounting
    at the Von Allmen School of Accountancy at Gatton College of
    Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky.
        Ms. Lisa Simon, CEO and executive director of the
    International Inbound Travel Association.
        Welcome.
        And Mr. Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners
    Association.
        Welcome, sir.
        So why don't we begin with Ms. Maietta. You are recognized
    for your 5 minutes of testimony. Welcome again.

     STATEMENTS OF ROSANNA MAIETTA, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
       OFFICER, AMERICAN HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCIATION; TYLER J.
    KLEPPE, Ph.D., EY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ACCOUNTING, UNIVERSITY
    OF KENTUCKY; LISA SIMON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND EXECUTIVE
      DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL INBOUND TRAVEL ASSOCIATION; AND JAY
      KAREN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NATIONAL GOLF COURSE OWNERS
                         ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

                      STATEMENT OF ROSANNA MAIETTA

        Ms. Maietta. Good morning, Chairman Bilirakis, Ranking
    Member Schakowsky, and distinguished members of the committee.
    My name is Rosanna Maietta, and I am the president and CEO of
    the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the unified voice
    of the Nation's hotels.
        Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
        Travel and tourism are essential to the American economy.
    Travel opens doors and builds appreciation for American culture
    and values. It is how we connect with each other on a human
    level. It is how we build business relationships that make this
    country go. It is, of course, how we enjoy well-earned vacation
    time.
        Hotels are at the heart of travel. They are where we start
    and end each day, our homes away from home.
        I am proud to note that all of you have hotels in your
    district. Most of you have more than a hundred of them. All of
    them are economic engines when they are allowed to flourish.
        The majority of hotels in this country are small-business
    owned. Hotels generate nearly $900 billion in GDP annually,
    contribute $83 billion in tax revenue, employ more than 2
    million workers. That means our industry supports one in every
    25 jobs across this Nation.
        I do think it is important for you to be aware that the
    past 5 years have been challenging for our industry, which has
    yet to fully recover from the pandemic. While there was a surge
    in travel immediately after it, hotel occupancy rates have
    since softened.
        Since 2020, hotel owners and operators have struggled with
    rising operating costs due to increasing insurance premiums and
    interest rates and higher labor and healthcare costs. These
    expenses have increased four times faster than revenue. The
    recent shutdown exacerbated these challenges.
        We also face significant staffing shortages. Nearly half of
    the Nation's hotels remain severely or partially understaffed.
        Despite it all, hotels remain open, resilient, and
    committed to serving their communities.
        And we believe the future is bright. Major happenings, like
    the World Cup, America 250, and the Olympics, are right around
    the corner. These have the potential to drive surges in both
    major and secondary markets and generate tax revenue,
    infrastructure investment, and workforce development, and,
    importantly, show the rest of the world the best of America.
        Crucially, the tax reform bill signed into law this summer
    was a particular bright spot. It delivered the clarity and
    permanence that hotel owners and small businesses across the
    country urgently need to be able to invest in their communities
    and expand their operations. And we are proud that more than
    800,000 hotel employees will keep more of what they earned
    through No Tax on Tips.
        Looking to the future, congressional decisions on
    Government funding, international travel, and workforce
    stability will determine whether hotels can fully welcome
    millions of visitors for these events, and our industry
    recommends four specific policy solutions.
        First, we echo the letters from Congress to the Departments
    of Homeland Security and Labor urging that they release the
    maximum allowable number of supplemental H-2B visas. These
    visas are critical to helping hotels maintain operations,
    especially on the eve of the WorldCup.
        Second, restore full funding to Brand USA, the Nation's
    destination marketing organization, via the VISIT USA Act.
    Brand USA consistently delivers one of the highest returns on
    investment of any Federal program by promoting the United
    States to the rest of the world.
        Third, we urge lawmakers to pass a long-term funding bill
    before the January deadline. The recent shutdown cost more than
    $1.2 billion in lost economic activity just tied to hotel
    stays, hurting the communities that we serve.
        Lastly, Congress should pass the American Franchise Act,
    which provides essential clarity and protection to preserve the
    franchise relationship and safeguard brand standards.
    Franchised hotels are the backbone of the hotel industry,
    accounting for nearly 60 percent of U.S. hotels.
        Chairman Bilirakis, Ranking Member Schakowsky, and members
    of the committee, thank you for your leadership and for the
    opportunity to testify today. I look forward to working with
    each member of this committee to ensure that America remains
    the most hospitable nation in the world.
        Thank you.
        [The prepared statement of Ms. Maietta follows:]
        [GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Mr. Bilirakis. Thank you so very much. Appreciate it.
        Dr. Kleppe, you are recognized for 5 minutes for your
    testimony. Welcome, sir.

                  STATEMENT OF TYLER J. KLEPPE, Ph.D.

        Dr. Kleppe. Thank you, Chairman Bilirakis, Chairman
    Guthrie, Ranking Members Pallone and Schakowsky, and members of
    the subcommittee. Thank you for your invitation to testify at
    this hearing.
        My name is Tyler Kleppe. I am the EY Associate Professor at
    the University of Kentucky.
        My research covers several topics related to capital
    markets and financial regulation. Of particular interest to
    this subcommittee and this hearing, I have recently published
    coauthored research that examines the effects of daylight
    saving time, or DST, phasing on capital market participants. I
    am excited to share the insights of this research with you
    today.
        Before I discuss this research in detail, I want to make it
    clear that my testimony is based on my expertise as a
    researcher in capital markets. I am not an expert on the
    psychological or psychophysical impacts of DST phasing.
        With that said, my interest in studying the effects of DST
    phasing on capital markets was motivated by the considerable
    evidence, including some that has been mentioned by the Members
    already, across other disciplines, indicating that DST
    adjustments negatively impact individuals and yield various
    negative consequences, including increased traffic and
    workplace accidents, atypically punitive judicial sentencing,
    and higher frequencies of heart attacks and brain dysfunction.
        My research seeks to address whether these negative impacts
    spill over to another important but underexplored setting:
    public equity markets. Understanding how DST phasing impacts
    U.S. financial markets is crucial for understanding the broader
    economic implications of DST policy.
        My work in this area is titled ``The Effects of Daylight
    Saving Time Adjustments on Investor Information Processing.''
    It was published in The Accounting Review, one of the leading
    accounting research journals.
        This work is coauthored with Andrew Pierce at Georgia State
    University, Zac Wiebe at the University of Arkansas, and Teri
    Yohn at Emory University.
        Now, in the study we examine the effects of spring
    forward--so in March--the DST advances on U.S. investors'
    processing of corporate earnings news. We focused on advances
    in March because these time shifts occur during spring earning
    season, which, as many of you might be aware of, it is a period
    when many public companies disclose earnings news to investors
    and other capital market stakeholders.
        Now, given our interest in understanding how these
    adjustments affect investors' decision making, we view this as
    an ideal setting to examine our research question.
        Using quarterly earnings announcements made by U.S.
    companies during this current DST regime--so we looked
    specifically from 2007 through 2018--we examined investors'
    price responsiveness to earnings news.
        Now, most of the time, a company's earnings map directly
    into company value. And consistent with this, decades of
    research in accounting and finance have shown that earnings
    news impacts stock prices.
        This finding is so robust, it is a classical test of market
    efficiency in the capital markets literature. In other words,
    when stock prices are less responsive to earnings news, this is
    evidence that markets are less efficient.
        Consistent with DST advances dampening the investor
    response to earnings news, we observe significantly lower price
    responsiveness for earnings announcements made in the week
    following a DST advance relative to other announcements.
        Now, this finding is consistent with DST adjustments
    inducing cognitive impairment, such that investors are slower
    to process information contained in these very important
    earnings announcements.
        Now, our study adds to our collective understanding of how
    DST adjustments impact capital markets and highlights an
    important economic cost of DST phasing.
        Market efficiency is crucial for a well-functioning
    financial system, and thus we view our evidence that DST
    advances impair the efficiency of U.S. equity markets, which
    are well-known as the most efficient and sophisticated markets
    in the world, to be meaningful and relevant to U.S.
    policymakers.
        In particular, we find that retail investors are
    particularly susceptible to the cost of these DST advances,
    which we view as relevant, because there could be a
    disadvantage to retail investors versus the more sophisticated
    investors.
        Now, that said, we acknowledge that we are only one of
    several economic studies that examine the impacts of DST
    phasing. Thus, I believe it is prudent to consider the evidence
    as a whole in making any policy decisions as opposed to
    focusing on one particular finding in isolation.
        Moreover, our evidence cannot speak directly to any
    potential changes in processing costs associated with remaining
    on daylight saving time or standard time permanently, which is
    a common challenge in the academic literature since we--as most
    of us as Americans, aside from a few States--have been
    experiencing these biannual time shifts for several decades.
        As such, the intent of our study and our research is not to
    speak to the optimality of different policies but rather to
    provide evidence that you can weigh in considering the costs
    and benefits of alternative policies.
        I appreciate the opportunity to testify to this
    subcommittee, and I look forward to your questions.
        [The prepared statement of Dr. Kleppe follows:]
        [GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Mr. Bilirakis. Thank you, sir.
        The gentleman yields back.
        Now we will recognize Ms. Simon for her 5 minutes.
        Thank you.

                        STATEMENT OF LISA SIMON

        Ms. Simon. Thank you, and good morning, Ranking Member
    Schakowsky, Committee Chair Guthrie, Ranking Member Pallone,
    and esteemed members of the subcommittee.
        Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the state of
    international inbound travel to the United States, an industry
    that affects every congressional district, every urban and
    rural community, and thousands of small businesses across our
    country.
        I am Lisa Simon with the International Inbound Travel
    Association, and our members are the tour operators,
    destination partners, and travel services that welcome millions
    of international visitors to the United States each year.
        International inbound tourism is a vital American export
    that supports millions of jobs, strengthens local economies and
    small businesses, and contributes significantly to the U.S.
    trade balance.
        I would like to first acknowledge that good things have
    happened and are happening this year in support of
    international tourism, none the least of which is the
    recognition and support of the mega events that are coming to
    the U.S. in the next several years, starting with the FIFA
    World Cup next year and the Olympics and Paralympics in 2028
    and 2034.
        We commend Congress and the administration for taking
    tourism issues seriously. However, we have other big issues
    that are negatively impacting this vital economic driver.
        Today, I share the sobering reality that Ranking Member
    Schakowsky also mentioned: that our international inbound
    travel to the U.S. is in decline. Through September,
    international arrivals are down 3.5 percent, and we are
    expected to end the year with 67 million international
    visitors, which is down 6 percent from the 72 million in 2024.
        While it varies by market, an example is Canada. Our top
    inbound international market is down a whopping 25 percent.
        At the beginning of the year, projections indicated we
    would reach prepandemic visitor levels by the end of 2026. That
    recovery has now been pushed out to 2029.
        Since 2019, the U.S. has gone from a $54 billion travel
    trade surplus to a projected deficit of nearly $60 billion this
    year.
        The rest of the world has been growing international
    visitation faster than the United States, reducing our market
    share of global international travelers. In fact, the United
    States is the only major country in the world that is predicted
    to decline in international visitor spending in 2025.
        While there are many contributors, many of the biggest
    deterrents come from recent policy changes, some of which that
    have gone into effect, others that have been proposed.
        First, steep fee increases for international visitors that
    are building on the already high cost of visiting the United
    States. We are an expensive destination.
        From the One Big Beautiful Bill there is a proposed $250
    visa integrity fee on top of the existing $185 visa application
    fee which, if implemented, would result in the U.S. having the
    second-highest visa cost in the world.
        Entry fees for travelers from visa waiver countries and
    those entering at land borders have doubled and increased
    fivefold, respectively.
        And a recent Executive order directs higher entrance fees
    for international visitors to national parks, coupled with a
    bicameral bill, the PATRIOT Parks Act, that would codify this
    international visitor surcharge.
        This particular policy we believe would have serious
    consequences beyond cost. Imagine the long lines and delayed
    entry for visitors, including Americans, as the parks check the
    IDs of every visitor.
        Second, several issues are causing economic uncertainty and
    eroding consumer confidence, like stricter border and
    immigration policies, tariffs, and geopolitical relations
    overall.
        The Government shutdown definitely impacted, and I should
    note that this shutdown cost $5.5 billion in travel revenue.
        Long visa appointment wait times. I should also mention
    that. As an aside, we were very happy to see the President's
    action this week to create a World Cup pass to guarantee visa
    appointments for ticket holders and an addition of 400 consular
    officers. That will definitely ease the pressure.
        Finally, the funding cut to Brand USA. Brand USA, as
    mentioned, is funded by private-sector contributions and fees
    paid by international visitors from visa waiver countries. No
    American tax dollars are used to fund Brand USA.
        The One Big Beautiful Bill cut Brand USA's funding by 80
    percent at a time when we need to be in front of the world with
    a unified welcoming message.
        We respectfully urge Congress to ensure a welcoming,
    seamless, and efficient entry process for international
    visitors. Reject policies that single out international
    visitors, including the PATRIOT Parks Act and the $250 visa
    integrity fee. Streamline visa processing and expand visa
    waiver programs. Support Chairman Bilirakis' bill, the VISIT
    USA Act announced yesterday--and again thank you, Chairman--to
    restore full funding for Brand USA for the next 2 years. And
    then reauthorize Brand USA in 2027.
        In closing, we cannot afford to lose any more ground in one
    of our most important export industries that supports our
    communities, American workers, and our national economy.
        Thank you for the opportunity to testify, and I am happy to
    answer any questions. Thank you.
        [The prepared statement of Ms. Simon follows:]
        [GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Mr. Bilirakis. We appreciate it very much.
        Now we will hear from Mr. Karen.
        You are recognized for your 5 minutes of testimony.
        Mr. Karen. Good morning.
        Mr. Bilirakis. Good morning.

                         STATEMENT OF JAY KAREN

        Mr. Karen. Members of the subcommittee, thank you for this
    opportunity. I am Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course
    Owners Association, representing 4,000 golf courses nationwide:
    public, private, resort, municipal facilities. Basically, if it
    has a flag stick, we take a stake in it.
        I also serve on the leadership committee of the American
    Golf Industry Coalition and on the board of directors at the
    U.S. Travel Association.
        Many people think of golf as just a game until they really
    understand the impact behind it. Golf is a $102 billion
    industry employing nearly 2 million Americans and a game played
    outdoors by 30 million Americans.
        What many don't realize is that 75 percent of courses in
    America are public access. We generate $40 billion in tourism
    annually and raise $5 billion for charities through golf
    outings, more than all sports combined. And I understand golf
    outings can be effective fundraisers for political campaigns as
    well.
        Golf is a public health and environmental asset. It is
    outdoor recreation, green space, wildlife habitat, and exercise
    all in one.
        So about daylight saving time. Let me be direct. The golf
    industry strongly opposes making standard time permanent. Our
    data shows that permanent standard time would cost the
    industry, at a bare minimum, $1.6 billion annually in green
    fees alone, not counting cart rentals, food, beverage, or
    merchandise. That is approximately $200,000 lost in revenue per
    golf course and 37 million lost rounds of golf.
        Why is that? Golf depends on what we call recreational
    daylight, when the sunlight overlaps with people's availability
    to be outdoors. Americans overwhelmingly prefer afternoon and
    evening recreation. Our point-of-sale data shows afternoon and
    evening hours generate 40 percent more revenue per hour than
    the morning play.
        Permanent standard time would trade 6 p.m. for 6 a.m.,
    eliminating our most valuable inventory while adding demand at
    hours nobody wants. And I can tell you from experience, except
    for maybe Bethpage Black, where the Ryder Cup was just played,
    Americans are not lining up at 5 a.m. for tee times.
        Our industry has diverse views on making daylight saving
    time permanent, though. Surveys show that about 64 percent of
    our members support permanent daylight saving time while 83
    percent agree, though, that it would help their businesses; 27
    percent prefer changing the clocks twice yearly, the status
    quo; and only 7 percent support making permanent standard time.
        So permanent standard time would devastate evening leagues,
    after-work play, after-school play, charity fundraising events,
    and seasonal employment.
        Beyond golf's economic interests, extending evening
    daylight supports public health, combating obesity, supporting
    youth sports, and enhancing public safety through reduced crime
    rates. If we eliminate changing the clocks, we urge permanent
    daylight saving time.
        Now, turning to travel and tourism, America is losing
    ground internationally. We have heard that. The U.S. is the
    only major country projected to see declining international
    visitor spending in 2025. Cost and perception issues are major
    barriers, the strong dollar through 2024. Visa wait times can
    average 175 days in top markets. And now the visa integrity
    fee.
        This comes at the worst possible time. In the next 4 years
    we will host all of these wonderful events and expect to draw
    40 million international visitors, but only if we strengthen
    our competitiveness.
        Inside of travel, golf represents an underutilized asset.
    Our $40 billion in annual golf tourism makes us the second-
    largest economic driver in the sport. International golf
    travelers are exceptionally high-value visitors, spending
    $3,000 per trip versus $1,600 for domestic travelers, staying
    six nights versus 3\1/2\ nights, and filling shoulder seasons
    when beach and ski destinations struggle.
        The U.S. has the best golf tourism product in the world,
    and we are dramatically outmarketed by Scotland, Ireland,
    Spain, and emerging destinations in the Middle East and Asia.
        The urgent priority is to restore Brand USA's full funding.
    Congress cut it by 80 percent. Brand USA represents, as we
    know, or operates through ESTA fees and private industry
    contributions, not taxpayer dollars, and generates a 24-to-1
    return on that investment.
        At current funding levels, we cannot compete with countries
    spending 40 to 50 million dollars annually marketing their
    destinations.
        So we strongly support bipartisan legislation, led by
    Chairman Bilirakis, Representative Castor, along with Senators
    Sullivan, Klobuchar, Capito, and Rosen, to restore full funding
    in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
        Following funding restoration, Brand USA should be
    reauthorized beyond fiscal year 2027, and, of course, with
    specific direction to position golf as a signature American
    tourism experience.
        In conclusion here, daylight and tourism policy may seem
    unrelated, but if we get this right, Americans stay active,
    communities thrive, and the U.S. remains a premier destination.
        Thank you for inviting me to share this perspective.
        [The prepared statement of Mr. Karen follows:]
        [GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Mr. Bilirakis. Thank you very much. We appreciate it very
    much. And I have several golf courses, as you know, in my area.
    That is for sure. I am not going to mention any, because I
    don't want to leave anyone out.
        But in any case, let's go ahead and start with the
    questions. I am going to recognize myself for 5 minutes.
        My first question is to Ms. Maietta.
        I am a strong supporter, as you know, of Brand USA, the
    Nation's tourism marketing arm, which in fiscal year 2024
    brought an estimated $25 in visitor spending for every dollar
    invested. Again, no taxpayer dollars.
        How important is Brand USA to America's competitiveness in
    attracting international travelers?
        Ms. Maietta. Thank you, Chairman, for having me here and
    for introducing VISIT USA along with Representative Castor.
        Brand USA is critical to attracting more visitors here at
    home. As you have heard from myself and others here, we have
    been losing international travelers for a number of years. We
    are down 24 percent over the last 5 years. We haven't come back
    to prepandemic levels of international visitors here at home.
        And the benefit of not only showing this great country of
    ours from coast to coast and all of the culture that America
    showcases and has to offer the rest of the world, foreign
    travelers spend eight times more when they are here in the
    States. For every American that travels across the country
    spending $100 in hotels, they spend $234 in the community.
    International travelers spend eight times that.
        And so it is a critical international--it is a critical
    export for us. So we would encourage passage of that into law
    in the funding of--the restoration of funding for Brand USA. It
    is critical to our future.
        Mr. Bilirakis. Thank you.
        Mr. Karen, sports tourism, including golf, is a major
    engine of economic activity, generating $114.4 billion in total
    economic impact and supporting 665,000 jobs in 2024, according
    to the Sports ETA, in the coming years.
        The U.S. is preparing, of course, as you know, in the
    coming years to host major international events like the 2026
    World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
        How can the U.S. capitalize on these opportunities and
    ensure local communities benefit from the spillover economic
    effects that these mega events will bring?
        Mr. Karen. The wonderful thing about Brand USA is the
    cooperative marketing that happens within it, the cooperative
    marketing and branding that Brand USA does with hundreds of
    destinations around America, State and local.
        So I am sure, knowing what is coming over the next 4, 5, 6
    years, that Brand USA is ready to pick up the opportunity to
    kind of be the concierge for all those coming to America, if
    you will, for international visitors looking to enjoy their
    stay before, during, and after these amazing events.
        The technology that they use on their site allows you kind
    of to build itineraries. If I am coming to the U.S. for 5, 6, 7
    days, where do I want to go, what do I want to do? And it
    includes the surrounding areas, not just the hub cities.
        And the marketing campaigns often highlight the local and
    unsung assets in those areas as well.
        So I think the way for the spillover effect into the local
    communities is to let Brand USA do their thing. Empower them to
    do this.
        Mr. Bilirakis. Very good. Thank you very much.
        The great State of Florida was the first State to enact
    legislation to adopt a permanent daylight savings time, pending
    Federal action, in order to secure more evening daylight, but
    we need Federal action if that is going to happen.
        Dr. Kleppe and then Mr. Karen, what are the economic pros
    and cons of year-round daylight savings time, particularly with
    respect to travel and tourism?
        We will start with Mr. Kleppe. And I know, Mr. Karen, you
    might want to elaborate a little bit. I know it was in your
    previous testimony.
        But, Mr. Karen, please.
        Dr. Kleppe. Thank you, Chairman, for that question.
        Now, the answer to that question kind of lies outside of
    the direct research I have done.
        Mr. Bilirakis. I understand that.
        Dr. Kleppe. But I can give you the academic perspective.
        So as far as the pros, the economic pros for permanent
    daylight saving time I think echoes what Mr. Karen mentioned
    about the potential increased revenue in certain industries,
    particularly retail, restaurants, hospitality, outdoor
    recreation, those particular industries that benefit from more
    afternoon or evening sunlight.
        I think the major cons come from the--supported by the
    evidence in neurology and sleep science--that being on
    permanent standard time is better for our cognitive function.
    And so being on daylight time permanently could lead to issues
    like absenteeism for workers, because they are more likely to
    be absent when there is more daylight time in the evenings.
    Research has shown that. And so that could have economic
    productivity costs if workers are working less.
        And the spillover effect could be, if they are working
    less, salaries and wages are lower, they have less disposable
    income to spend on those retail and hospitality services.
        So, again, it is--there is not a ton of research on it,
    because we don't have--we haven't lived in an environment where
    we have this permanent daylight time, but that is the academic
    perspective that I can share.
        Mr. Bilirakis. OK. Thank you very much.
        Mr. Karen, briefly, because I am over time.
        Mr. Karen. So I think Congressman Fry will appreciate this
    one about Myrtle Beach, because when you look at a golf
    destination like Myrtle Beach, and standard time goes from
    November to March, really about 4 months, and if daylight
    saving time was made permanent, it opens up afternoon hours to
    play more golf in the afternoon.
        So the folks coming down from Ohio and Canada that like to
    go to Myrtle Beach, they can squeeze two rounds of golf in
    instead of one on these trips.
        And it just basically unlocks an amazing amount of
    inventory for the golf industry. But that translates to good
    health for Americans as well. So we have millions, tens of
    millions more people playing golf in the afternoons as a
    result. So the economic impact of that is enormous.
        Mr. Bilirakis. Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
        I went over my time. I will give you opportunity, Ms.
    Schakowsky, to go over your time if you like.
        I want to yield to you 5 minutes for your questioning,
    please.
        Ms. Schakowsky. Thank you very much.
        Ms. Simon, I want to thank you so much for your
    participation here. Thank you. And I have just a couple things
    that I want to ask you about.
        We have a 25 percent decrease from Canada in the amount
    that is paid now to the United States of America, and some
    other places not doing so well either.
        And I wanted to ask you, what are the things that are
    standing in the way of increasing the work that other countries
    are doing with the United States of America? So if you could
    talk about what kind of improvements that we could make.
        It is really too bad I think with Canada that we are--they
    have been a good friend of ours for a long time and no longer.
        But if you could talk about what we need to do to make it
    better for foreign travel.
        Ms. Simon. Thank you, Congresswoman. That is a wonderful
    question, and I appreciate it.
        International travelers are confronted with a number of
    issues that are prohibiting them or inhibiting them from coming
    to the United States, starting with, I think, rising costs.
        We are an expensive destination. Hotel costs and
    transportation costs haven't really gone down since the
    pandemic. So business costs are up. Therefore, traveler
    expenses are up.
        And then we, by policy, are now adding rising expenses to
    just them coming to the United States with the $250 visa
    integrity fee that is proposed.
        There are also higher entrance fees that have gone into
    effect for ESTA fees for travelers from visa waiver countries.
    That has gone from $21 to $40. It nearly doubled.
        Land border fees, which would affect, obviously, Canada.
    The I-94 form entrance fee has gone from $6 to $30.
        So there are significant additions to the cost of just
    entering the United States.
        And now there is a proposal from--an Executive order,
    actually--to introduce international fees that are higher than
    U.S. fees, residence fees, for entry to national parks.
        We believe this: Just the target of these fees on
    international visitors sends an unwelcoming message. And you
    couple that with the global media attention, basically, that
    there has been on tariffs and the border detainments, hardening
    of immigration and ICE raids, I think, as you mentioned
    earlier, it presents unwelcoming images to foreign visitors.
    And it creates a lot of uncertainty, a lot of negative
    sentiment, a lot of feeling of unwelcomeness.
        And it is coming at a time when there are a lot of other
    options. There's very high competition for destinations right
    now. Other countries are making it cheaper and easier to visit,
    and we are making it harder and more expensive.
        Ms. Schakowsky. So what do you recommend are the things
    that we could do to improve travel to the United States?
        Ms. Simon. I would eliminate those fees. Do not move
    forward with the $250 visa integrity fee. Do not implement a
    higher fee for international visitors to national parks.
        I would reauthorize in 2027--but for now fund through the
    new VISIT USA Act--Brand USA, because they really do drive
    travelers and demand to the United States.
        They also are challenged with making sure that they address
    policies and procedures and that international visitors are
    well informed.
        And as my colleague said, they coordinate destination
    marketing across the country and help our destinations and
    cities across the country welcome and let international
    visitors know they are welcome to the United States to visit.
        Ms. Schakowsky. So are you working to help prevent the
    things that are keeping them away?
        Ms. Simon. Absolutely. Our members are working with the
    international travel trade, the tour operators and travel
    agents that are actually working with the consumers,
    international consumers. And we spend a great deal of time
    educating them on current policies and, as they are changing,
    making sure they are aware of changes, making sure they
    understand facts versus perhaps misperceptions.
        Ms. Schakowsky. Thank you so much. I appreciate it.
        Ms. Simon. Thank you.
        Ms. Bilirakis. The gentlelady yields back.
        Now I recognize the chairman of the full committee, Mr.
    Guthrie, for his 5 minutes of questioning.
        Mr. Guthrie. Thanks.
        Thanks, Dr. Kleppe. This is for you.
        I mentioned that my district splits. Literally, I live
    right almost on the border. And I mentioned in the afternoon
    the sun rises and sun sets an hour different in Portland and
    Bardstown and my place where I live in Fort Worth.
        But if you look at Bardstown and where I live, we have the
    same sun but different time. And so I know we all want--we are
    interested in the extra hour. I would love to have the extra
    hour afternoon time.
        But also, if you change it in the morning, then kids from
    Bardstown will be--actually, there is a town called
    Brandenburg. It is really west of where I live. It is still in
    eastern. They would be going to like 8:30, I think, before the
    sun would rise.
        So would you just talk about the effects of daylight
    changing time zones when people live this close together?
        Dr. Kleppe. Absolutely, Chairman. Thank you for that
    question. I would also like to get in that when you mentioned
    the Derby for Kentucky tourism, let's not forget Keeneland and
    Lexington as well.
        But yeah, to answer your question, Kentucky, your district,
    is----
        Mr. Guthrie. Well, for 140,000 people to come to Keeneland
    too on a certain day, that would be great.
        Dr. Kleppe. Yeah. I know your district is uniquely
    positioned as it relates to time and sunlight issues.
        What I can say from our research is that there is no reason
    to expect that these time shifts would differentially affect
    your constituents based on time zone.
        However, a shift in the policy to permanent--for example,
    permanent daylight saving time would be more salient and
    potentially more costly, depending on what time zone you are in
    and where you are in the time zone.
        So just, for example, for the part of your district that is
    on the western edge of the eastern time zone, the costs and
    risks of reduced sunlight in the mornings are going to be much
    more significant than your constituents on the eastern side of
    the central time zone.
        And so I think you could have a whole 'nother hearing on
    time zone issues. We could spend a whole day on that. But I
    would just urge you to consider those issues as well if you
    consider any policy changes, that the impacts, some of the
    costs would certainly differ, based on where you are located
    within a time zone.
        Mr. Guthrie. So, Mr. Karen, so the opposite of--so the hour
    comes up. So it would be like 8:30 before the sun comes up in
    the western edge of eastern, but where I live, the sun goes
    down about 4:35 like now. December 21st I think the sun goes
    down just a little after 4 o'clock in the afternoon, probably
    before 5. It is between 4:30 and 5.
        And then other States, you have, like, we are across from
    Indiana. I think Indiana, they changed the way they observe
    time. But it used to be there were the counties around
    Louisville was always on eastern. The counties around.
        So could you just describe about the difficulty of just a
    patchwork of time zone changes?
        So let's say we let each State do it. Kentucky doesn't do
    it but Indiana does do it. For some reason, Indiana did it a
    couple years ago. As a matter of fact, the Governor at the
    time--he ended up being president of Purdue--said that that was
    probably the most difficult decision he made as Governor--or
    the most political, I would say.
        Mr. Karen. So I think the legislation that is being
    proposed right now in Congress, whether it is to make daylight
    saving time permanent but it would allow for States to opt out
    into standard time, or there is another law that would allow
    States just simply to choose whichever one they want--you know,
    we already--I mean, I am no States' rights expert necessarily,
    but I can tell you we already have enough issues with figuring
    out what time zone some States are in. If we add another
    variable, whether what time zone and if they are in DST or
    standard time, that will be very interesting.
        Dr. Kleppe and I were talking earlier. Just imagine that
    Florida is on standard, Georgia is on daylight, South Carolina
    is on standard. Just having to figure that out is just mind
    blowing.
        But it would cause a lot of complexities for sure,
    additional complexities, to understand--in my industry golfers
    probably, if they cross State lines, they might show up late or
    the technology may have to identify which golf course is in
    what time zone, in what time observance.
        I would urge Congress to pick a uniform time, and, if it is
    possible, to get the entire country on it.
        Mr. Guthrie. Meade County and Breckinridge County, some
    people who live on the very eastern area of Breckinridge just
    observe eastern time because most people work at Fort Knox.
    They live there and Fort Knox is in eastern time. But the
    school system is on the county time. So it is confusing. I have
    showed up--the one time I have actually messed up was going to
    Irvine, that area, on time.
        So, Ms. Maietta, could you elaborate on the economic impact
    of the lodging industry, local communities that rely on
    tourism. Specifically, why is travel-driven spending such an
    important part of the broader U.S. economy?
        Ms. Maietta. Thank you for the question, Chairman.
        Travel and tourism brings us all together, for one. It
    unites us around big events, wonderful moments.
        People are traveling more now for experiences, whether that
    is coming to the Derby or other sporting events or concerts and
    food, Bourbon Trails, and the like.
        But more than that, we fuel communities. If you think about
    the $83 billion that the industry supports in tax revenue
    alone, that goes back into individual communities.
        Any time a hotel goes up in Main Street America, commerce
    around that community flows, because the coffee shop opens, the
    retail store opens, a florist pops up across the street.
        And so it just generates both revenue for communities that
    go back into emergency services, supporting firefighters--
        Mr. Guthrie. I just noticed my clock has expired.
        Ms. Maietta. Thank you.
        Mr. Guthrie. We are all looking forward to hearing more.
        I will yield back.
        Mr. Bilirakis. I appreciate it very much, Mr. Chairman.
        I now will recognize the ranking member for his 5 minutes
    of questioning.
        Mr. Pallone. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        I am probably not going to ask questions about the time
    because, to be honest, I really think the key is if we can get
    a consensus on agreeing on one time. Very few people I talk to
    want to go back and forth, but then they don't agree on what we
    should stay with. So that is the problem.
        But I want to talk about some travel issues. As we know,
    the COVID-19 pandemic grounded travel to a halt, decimating the
    tourism industry, which is still recovering, frankly.
        So, Ms. Simon, in your testimony you state the U.S. is not
    expected to reach prepandemic levels of international travel
    until 2029, even with major sporting events like the 2026 FIFA
    World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympics Games taking
    place in the U.S. even before that.
        So let me just ask you, how will challenges to visiting the
    U.S., such as increased visa fees and other cost increases,
    long visa wait times, hidden fees, immigration concerns, and
    unpredictable market conditions, impact America's ability to
    reap the full benefits of hosting next year's World Cup and
    other international sporting events, if you will?
        Ms. Simon. Thank you, Ranking Member, and I appreciate the
    question.
        There are a number of issues that you have mentioned that
    are impacting visitation to the United States. And the mega
    events that we have coming in the next few years are definitely
    going to help our international numbers stay somewhat stable.
        But the impacts that we are seeing are not just for
    visitors coming in for those mega events. It is the traditional
    visitors and tourists that are coming in for other activities,
    just to see the national parks, to see the destinations, to
    experience the American culture.
        Issues like rising costs at the border, tariffs and rising
    costs, concerns on different travel supplies, like hotels,
    again, transportation costs, and so on, for their whole trip,
    and then again the negative sentiment that some of these rising
    costs and tariffs and images that are being presented about the
    United States are impacting travelers' decisions on whether or
    not to come to the United States.
        I think we have a golden opportunity with the mega events,
    starting with the World Cup next year, to really spotlight the
    United States and all the different, unique things we have to
    do, see, and experience here in our country.
        And that should have a lasting effect on growing travel in
    future years, because people will see all the things that they
    can do. And those who are coming for the Games will be
    experiencing multiple destinations while they are here. So that
    is going to drive, again, business across the country.
        Mr. Pallone. And let me ask you this. You know, the Jersey
    Shore, it is mostly people, you know, from Americans, you know,
    New York, Pennsylvania, come, right. But we do get a signif--or
    we used to get a significant number of Canadians, and that
    clearly has dropped significantly.
        So, you know, I mean, I don't understand, the Trump
    administration just keeps targeting Canada in this kind of
    overreaching tariff wars and attacks on Canada. He wants it to
    be another State, whatever.
        But both Mr. Karen, and you, Ms. Simon, your testimony
    cited a significant drop of close to 25 percent of inbound
    travel from Canada. Mr. Karen said this has led to a $4 billion
    loss in spending from Canadian tourists.
        So, Ms. Simon, how does this attitude towards one of our
    closest allies impact inbound tourism and the greater national
    Canada? I am talking about Canada, now, not just to New Jersey,
    but elsewhere.
        Ms. Simon. As you indicated, Canada is down, through
    September, 25 percent. That varies by land entry and air. Air
    is about 23 percent, lLand entry is about 31 percent of
    Canadian decline. It is primarily due, as you said, to the
    tariffs and the political relations, if you will, with Canada.
        Our Canadian friends are longing to come back, and our
    destinations across the country are really trying to help them
    see that they are welcome in the country. But we really have to
    do a very significant job, I think, of communicating that from
    the U.S. Government, not just individual destinations, the U.S.
    Government has to say, ``You are welcome, we want you here.''
        Mr. Pallone. Well, I also think Trump has got to stop
    saying he is going to make it a State, you know. I mean, I
    can't think of anything that is more insulting to Canadians
    than saying ``You are going to be our 51st State'' over and
    over again, you know. Anyway, thank you so much.
        Ms. Simon. Yes.
        Mr. Bilirakis. The gentleman yields back.
        I now recognize Dr. Dunn, and he represents part of the
    Panhandle. Isn't that right?
        Mr. Dunn. It is.
        Mr. Bilirakis. In Florida, so I know that is a split time
    zone, so----
        Mr. Dunn. And I am assured I am allowed to----
        Mr. Bilirakis. You are recognized.
        Mr. Dunn [continuing]. Boast about the free State of
    Florida today, so if I may, I would like to do a little of
    that.
        My district includes Panama City Beach, Apalachicola, St.
    George Island, 30A, Rosemary Beach, Mexico Beach, and our
    treasured State capital city, Tallahassee. They are all
    welcomed tourist destinations domestically and internationally.
        I think it has been known that our Panhandle area has been
    known as the Emerald Coast, the Miracle Strip, and sometimes
    called the Forgotten Coast. It is frequently ranked as home to
    the world's best beaches. I happen to think that is correct.
        And as my colleagues noted, the travel to America has been
    susceptible to a changing global economy, especially after the
    restrictions placed upon the country during the pandemic.
        I support the hard work of our hospitality and service
    industry in Florida. They work around the clock to make our
    State a top travel destination. We number over 100 million
    tourist visits a year.
        In addition to the many programs we support in Congress,
    like the public-private partnership Brand USA, and the billions
    of dollars generated at our national parks every year, I mean,
    there's a lot of good things to say and talk about.
        I look forward to discussing that today. And, of course, we
    are preparing for the 2028 Summer Olympics and 2026 FIFA World
    Cup as well, so--not to mention our birthday celebration, the
    250th.
        Ms. Maietta, the American Hotel and Lodging Association
    State of Industry shows that the occupancy rates in 2024 are
    still below the prepandemic 2019 level. What are the biggest
    barriers preventing us from recovering from COVID, perhaps, I
    guess, and expanding our domestic and international travel
    markets, and how have traveler behaviors changed since the
    pandemic? Thank you.
        Ms. Maietta. Thank you for the question. So I think there
    are a couple of--there are many factors that have kept us from
    reaching prepandemic levels. But make no mistake: Americans are
    traveling. Their travel habits have changed. They are looking
    for experiences. They are looking for budget experiences. There
    is a hotel that meets every pocketbook, so I am very proud
    about that.
        I think it is really important for us as we think about our
    industry that is still facing a significant staffing shortage
    and that prevents other services--perhaps a restaurant stays
    closed, or we are not offering room service because we don't
    have the staff to support that. So releasing the supplemental
    H-2B visas, it is a legal guest worker program that helps
    supplement our staff, particularly in places like Florida,
    resort destinations, far-flung places that are hard to get to
    for staff. And so the visa--the H-2B visa program is of
    particular importance.
        And, again, passage of the VISIT USA Act, supporting Brand
    USA, so that we can continue to showcase the best of America
    with a welcome message, ease of travel, and making it
    affordable for international guests to come here and spend
    their money here will be important.
        Mr. Dunn. Well, I urge you to continue pressing on the
    guest worker programs. I mean, we tried to fix that years ago.
    I mean, this is something we need across a number of
    industries, so please keep working on that.
        Mr. Karen, something you said earlier actually piqued my
    interest. Did I understand you to advocate for a single time
    zone for all of the United States?
        Mr. Karen. No. No, sir. A single time observance, not a
    single time zone. So daylight savings--that standard.
        Mr. Dunn. Oh, OK. Better. I was struggling with that
    concept. You know, there is a reason why we have time zones. I
    was going to say, why don't we all just go on Zulu time or
    whatever the heck, you know.
        You know, so I was working in Australia a number of years
    ago, the Army sent me there, and they actually define local
    time--they define time zones quite locally, and they break them
    down into 15-minute intervals. I mean, that gets, you know,
    kind of confusing with the train schedules and whatnot, but--
    so, I was, you know, just--I am glad you clarified that point
    for me. I was a little stunned.
        Mr. Chairman, I will yield back.
        Mr. Bilirakis. Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
        Now we will recognize Ms. Castor from the great State of
    Florida, from the Tampa Bay area, and she has a lot of hidden
    treasures in her district as well.
        Ms. Castor. Yes, we do.
        Mr. Bilirakis. You are recognized.
        Ms. Castor. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Ms. Simon, international travelers have a lot of options.
    These are their hard-earned dollars, discretionary dollars, and
    they can travel just about anywhere they want all across the
    world. I think that highlights the importance of a consistent
    public-private partnership to promote American destinations.
        We took an unfortunate U-turn under the Big Ugly Bill in
    slashing support for Brand USA, and that is why I am so
    grateful to Chair Bilirakis for getting us back on track under
    the Vital Investment in Sustaining International Tourism Act to
    the USA, the VISIT USA Act. I am proud to be the colead on
    that.
        But can you talk about why it is important to have
    consistent messaging, advertising, promotion outside the United
    States to encourage international travelers to come to the
    U.S.?
        Ms. Simon. Thank you for the question. And Brand USA does
    do a tremendous job at that consistent messaging and making
    sure that they are touting the best of America for
    international visitors to come to our country. That is critical
    because there is so much competition. We are--as I indicated
    earlier, we are the only country that is going to see an
    international spending--visitor spending decline in 2025. The
    rest of the world, global international travel is growing. And
    it is critical that we really focus on this as an industry and
    as an economic driver of our country.
        Brand USA is so important because for every dollar they
    spend in industry promotions, the return is $21. So it is a
    logical investment.
        Ms. Castor. And that is not just in the State of Florida.
    That is all across the country. There are plenty of places,
    like I know Rep Soto is going to talk about everything
    happening in the Orlando area, you have heard our--but
    international travelers come all over to--and that supports
    jobs and local economies all across the country, is that right?
        Ms. Simon. Absolutely. And Brand USA is, by law, to promote
    smaller destinations, rural destinations, small businesses, as
    well as the main, of course, gateways and attractions to the
    country. So they are bringing that economic benefit across the
    country to all businesses and business owners.
        Ms. Castor. And I hear from my Tampa Bay area of small
    business owners, they need all the help they can get right now.
        And I know many, many travelers are alarmed by the policies
    of the Trump administration. And I have heard directly from
    some of our best friends from Canada that they miss visiting
    the Sunshine State that they love. Even--an aside--my mother,
    who is 84 years old, used to play golf with three Canadian
    women, and when the President started to insult Canada they
    said, ``Betty, we are packing up and we are not coming back,''
    and they have not returned.
        And then, clearly, there are larger policy issues at play,
    an affordability squeeze, over half of Americans are cutting
    back on travel. Part of it is because of some of the deceptive
    information out there when it comes to lodging.
        I want to thank everyone on this committee for passing my
    bipartisan Hotel Fees Transparency Act. It has passed the House
    now. We are waiting for the Senate.
        Ms. Maietta, thank you for being outspoken in support of
    this. Why is it important that domestic travelers, or travelers
    from anywhere, understand the price that is real to them,
    especially when they are so concerned about the affordability
    squeeze right now?
        Ms. Maietta. Congresswoman Castor, thank you for your
    leadership on that important bill.
        Transparency is so important to all our guests, and I am so
    proud of our industry for leading on displaying the price--the
    total, all-in price--at the time of booking.
        If you think about the habits of people booking hotels
    today, they are coming from many different sites. Not everyone
    is booking direct, even though we encourage that as the best
    pathway. And so making sure that the rest of the travel
    ecosystem is up to the same standards of displaying an all-in
    price, incomprehensive of resort fees. It should be noted that
    resort fees are only charged in 6 percent of all hotels. And we
    know that guests are fine paying those charges if they are
    getting a benefit or an amenity for it, but it is not
    widespread. Not every hotel is charging resort fees.
        Ms. Castor. But it will be a little bit of help for
    travelers if the Senate can get that across the finish line,
    don't you agree?
        Ms. Maietta. Exactly. Thank you for sponsoring that bill,
    and we hope to see that crossthe finish line.
        Ms. Castor. Thank you. I yield back.
        Ms. Lee [presiding]. Thank you. I now recognize myself for
    5 minutes.
        I appreciate all of our witnesses for being here today and
    sharing your insight.
        Tourism is critical for Florida's economic growth and
    success. This fiscal year, the Tampa Bay area, which I am also
    proud to represent, surpassed a record $1.2 billion in hotel
    revenue. In Florida's 15th District, we regularly welcome
    visitors from across the State, country, and world to our many
    attractions, from amusement parks like Busch Gardens to beloved
    annual celebrations, including the Florida Strawberry Festival,
    which is a personal favorite of mine.
        I look forward to hearing more from each of you about how
    we can best support these industries and keep our great State
    home.
        So, Mr. Karen, I would like to return to your testimony. As
    you know, Florida has a booming golf industry, we have already
    touched on that here today, which generates over $11 billion
    each year, according to the Florida Sports Foundation.
        In your written testimony, you suggest creating golf
    tourism as a distinct marketing category to better position the
    United States as an international leader in this industry. How
    can the U.S. better distinguish its golf offerings against
    international competitors like Europe and the Middle East?
        Mr. Karen. What a great question. You know, golf is super-
    hot right now. For the last 5 years, we have had year-over-year
    growth, and it is because of the popularity. We have young
    people, people of color, women, and more flocking to this game,
    and the vibe is just different. So it is time to kind of
    leverage this interest into stronger marketing.
        And I think restoring Brand USA's full funding--and maybe
    having a conversation between myself and Fred Dixon, who is the
    CEO--would go a long way in putting the American golf courses
    at center stage because, you know, Ireland and Scotland, and
    the Middle East now especially, are spending enormous money to
    get world travelers to come play golf in their locations.
        Right now, golf is not very conspicuous in some of that
    marketing. There are some exceptions. I am sure Florida puts it
    front and center. South Carolina Parks and Recreation Tourism,
    they put golf center of their marketing when they go overseas
    and market to England and so forth to come to the States.
        But it is about time to kind of recognize the economic--we
    talked about the economic impact of golf in the communities and
    the great resorts around America.We have got the best product
    in the world, but we are just not selling it very well. So it
    is time to kind of lift it and up and double down.
        Ms. Lee. And you just touched on something about State
    marketing and State work in this arena. Is there a role that
    States and localities can also play in amplifying the marketing
    for golf tourism?
        Mr. Karen. Absolutely. And we find--I found, since I have
    been on the board at the U.S. Travel Association over the
    years, there are States that will slash funding, or cut it
    completely in some cases, for all marketing. When they are
    looking at economic development and spending in their States,
    they slash tourism marketing.
        And I think that is a self-inflicted wound. We have got the
    greatest assets, people--we just talked about the economic
    impact of people spending money. Why would we not double down
    on that?
        Every State has golf courses in America, right. Every State
    has marquee ones as well.So, I mean, I am biased a little bit,
    but I think they should put that front and center. The imagery
    that you can put on the websites and the videos you could have
    on the golf assets are incredible. So I appreciate your support
    on that.
        Ms. Lee. You also mentioned the importance of improving our
    transportation infrastructure in promoting golf tourism. I
    strongly agree that we need to make air travel, in particular,
    more reliable. I recently introduced the FLIGHT Act, which
    would notify passengers whenever a flight is delayed by more
    than 15 minutes.
        Are there any existing Federal transportation programs that
    we should consider examining or strengthening, in your view, to
    help promote easier access to golf destinations?
        Mr. Karen. I don't focus on the air travel with golf so
    much as I do the resorts themselves, and they are all doing
    quite well in the United States. But I would--I mean, I would
    say keep modernizing the infrastructure, keep modernizing what
    airports are willing to do.
        Luggage transfer--I mean, we have millions of people
    bringing golf clubs to the United States, you know, so getting
    those clubs transferred quickly and safely is important to
    those folks.
        So it is not my area of expertise, but certainly we would
    be supportive of any modernization and progressive practices
    with air transport.
        Ms. Lee. We have got some really innovative luggage and
    baggage transportation options in effect in Florida, so I
    agree.
        Ms. Maietta, you mentioned in your written testimony that
    the recent Federal Government shutdown had a devastating impact
    on hospitality. Would you briefly tell us what that effect was
    and what you hope to see going forward?
        Ms. Maietta. Thank you for the question, Congresswoman. The
    shutdown impacted travel immediately. Overnight, things
    changed, people canceled bookings. I have heard even from
    Members this week that those who were planning to travel over
    Thanksgiving, there was just a wave of cancellations.
        So the immediacy of that led to 13--or $1.3 billion in lost
    revenue from hotels alone, all of that revenue that goes back
    into the community when people are traveling. We would urge a
    long-term solution to the January deadline, avoiding shutdowns,
    and ensuring that travel is not caught in the crosshairs.
        Ms. Lee. Thank you. We are out of time. Thank you for that.
        All right. Mr. Soto, you are recognized for 5 minutes.
        Mr. Soto. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
        I am proud to represent the theme park capital of the world
    in central Florida, areas like Orlando, Kissimmee, and St.
    Cloud, and we are honored to have Disney, Universal, Sea World,
    Gatorland, one of our local favorites too. We also have sport
    fishing in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Northern Everglades,
    space tourism in the district right next to mine, with Cape
    Canaveral being the busiest space port in the world. We are
    about to hit 100-plus launches this year. And beaches like
    Cocoa and Melbourne--although I will say Chairman Bilirakis and
    Representatives Castor and Dunn have some pretty fine beaches
    too.
        We have spring tourism and agtourism, much like Reps
    Cammack and Lee as well. And we see some strengths right now.
    Thankfully because of investment with Epic Universe, that
    really powered us for the summer when we saw tourism down in
    other places across the country, and Disney's commitment to $8
    billion over 10 years has been also helpful.
        But demand is steady but flat, right. We see 7.3 million
    passengers at Orlando International Airport, the busiest
    airport in the State, that is about a 2.1 percent decrease, so
    we are hanging tough, but, you know, we have got to continue it
    through.
        I think we are going to be strong through the holidays, but
    I worry about January or February after that all goes because
    we face some challenges. Trump's mass deportations hurt the
    workforce. A million immigrants have lost their legal status in
    Florida between Cubans, Venezuelans, and Haitians who work in
    this industry.
        And then obstinate trade and foreign policies hurt foreign
    tourists, especially Canada. Why are we messing with Canada?
    For the record, Orlando loves Canada. OK.
        Europe too, as well, and Brazil. Fifty percent tariffs on
    Brazil. They are pound-for-pound some of the most lucrative
    tourists. And so--and then add on this the Kavanaugh stops,
    where if you look Hispanic and you have a Spanish accent and
    you are a blue-collar worker, you could be detained right now.
    We have seen American citizens and legal tourists detained.
        In Orlando, I want to make it very clear, we welcome
    everyone. Division and discrimination are bad for business. We
    welcome folks from across the world.
        And then add in the tariffs, rising healthcare, groceries,
    energy and housing costs. And I am worried about the domestic
    demand as well. So this is why supporting the bipartisan VISIT
    USA Act is so important.
        And, Ms. Maietta, you talked about workforce shortages. How
    has that affected guest experiences across the Nation right
    now?
        Ms. Maietta. Thank you, Congressman, for that question.
    They are seeing services cut back or hours cut back. It is so
    important that we release the supplemental H-2B visas. That is
    66,000 annually, and it is simply not enough to support all the
    resorts in Florida alone, let alone the rest of the country. It
    is a proven guest work--legal guest worker program that has
    decades of experience.
        When we can hire American, we do, and--but we rely on that
    program to supplement around the country, especially as we are
    looking at the big events and ensuring that we are well
    staffed.
        Mr. Soto. And that is a--forgive me, because my time is
    limited--that is a perfect transition. Ms. Simon, how could not
    only workforce shortages but tariff insanity and mass
    deportations and Kavanaugh stops and all this stuff affect the
    World Cup or the Olympics?
        Ms. Simon. Thank you for the question. I think what you
    have described is what a lot of international--potential
    international visitors are seeing, and it does creat a lot of
    uncertainty, a lot of fear and anxiety about traveling to the
    U.S. We need to make sure that there is a welcome--consistent
    welcome, unified message saying that international visitors to
    the United States is not the same as immigration. Visitation is
    not immigration, and we need to make that very clear.
        Obviously, supporting the VISIT USA Act is going to be
    critical so that Brand USA can get out there and get that
    message to the international travelers.
        Mr. Soto. Thank you.
        And, Dr. Kleppe, it is interesting to hear your analysis. I
    wrote that bill back in 2013--you may or may not know that--
    although the Rs never let me pass it in 4 years, and the
    Florida Legislature then promptly passed it right afterwards,
    so I feel some justice being here today to discuss it.
        Before that, everybody was trying to keep on standard time,
    and of course keeping on daylight savings time would be a
    better impact. Have you estimated the total revenue from this
    change to extending daylight savings time to tourism
    nationally?
        Dr. Kleppe. So thanks for the question, Congressman. I have
    not. That is not something that I have done in my research that
    I have seen----
        Mr. Soto. It would be positive, though, based upon your
    experience, right?
        Dr. Kleppe. It is hard to estimate. One of the reasons it
    is hard to estimate is that we can have--I mean, you can see it
    in Mr. Karen's testimony. We can get at estimates, I think,
    reasonably about what the added revenues would be in certain
    industries with an extra hour of evening daylight. I think the
    issue is the cost of that, the cost coming from disruption to
    our circadian rhythms, which is well established in neurology,
    sleep science, and kind of the medicinal community that
    believes that permanent standard time is a better alignment
    with our brains and our function cognitively. We don't know how
    that would affect economic decisions broadly. And so it is
    really hard to come up with an estimate of that side of it. And
    that would affect all aspects of the economy, not just
    industries like tourism and outdoor recreation.
        Mr. Soto. Thanks for your opinion. My time has expired.
        Ms. Lee. Mr.Obernolte, you are recognized for 5 minutes.
        Mr. Obernolte. Well, thank you very much. And let me say
    how delighted I am to be having this hearing. This is an issue
    that I have been deeply engaged on for the last 10 years.
        When I was serving in the California State Legislature, I
    helped lead an effort to enable the State of California to go
    on full-time daylight savings time should Congress act to amend
    the Universal Time Act to give States that option. And then
    later, California passed Prop 7 in 2018, which empowers the
    legislature to make that change.
        Unfortunately, Congress has not enabled that choice for
    States, and the bill that we are hearing today would allow
    States that option. And I think that it is very telling that
    when the most populous State in the Nation is voting to enable
    a switch onto full-time daylight savings time, that Congress
    should take note of that. And there are many States that would
    follow that example.
        The evidence is overwhelming and compelling that it is not
    good for us to be changing back and forth twice a year. I mean,
    it is not good for our health. It is not good for our sleep
    cycles. It is not good for our productivity. It is not good for
    traffic accidents. I mean, I think everyone should be able to
    acknowledge that this is a practice that needs to stop.
        And, I mean, if you want evidence for why we got into this
    situation in the first place, look at the origins of daylight
    savings time, which was born out of a necessity to conserve
    energy when lighting was the predominant consumer of energy.
    And now we are in an era with LED lighting where lighting is no
    longer the predominant consumer. I mean, I think this is an
    idea whose time has come. We need to stop switching back and
    forth.
        So the compelling question that confronts us today is which
    to choose. Do we choose permanent daylight savings time or do
    we choose permanent standard time? And there are proponents on
    both sides of that issue. This is the one thing that has
    prevented us from doing what everybody wants to do, which is to
    stop switching. So to me this is the crux of the argument.
        So, Mr. Karen, I found your testimony very compelling. One
    would think, looking at a golf course operator, for example,
    that you would be agnostic as to whether or not you had time in
    the morning or time in the evening. I mean, the problem that we
    have is, as the days grow shorter, we don't have the option of
    having sunlight in both the morning and the evening. We have to
    pick one or the other. You would think that a golfer could
    choose to golf early or choose to golf late and it wouldn't
    matter, and yet your testimony is that, overwhelmingly,
    economic activity is enhanced by adopting full-time daylight
    savings time, which puts the daylight in the afternoon. Can
    you, like, opine as to why that might be?
        Mr. Karen. I really think except for Saturday and Sunday
    mornings, where people love to grab the first tee times of the
    day, you look at the rest of the week and the availability of
    Americans to play, especially working Americans, they just
    simply prefer the afternoon. There is a 40 percent premium that
    is--or 40 percent more revenue that is drawn off the afternoon
    hours simply because that is where the demand is. So if that is
    where the demand is and we can open up a little bit more
    inventory when they are available to play, it is an exponential
    effect.
        So, yeah, I think--again, what I said, it is trading 6 p.m.
    for 6 a.m., and Americans that work are not going to make 6
    a.m. tee times Monday through Friday, but they will make 3 p.m.
    Tee times to play nine holes if they can get it in, right.
        So the economic opportunity is tens of millions of dollars.
    And we only measured public golf courses and their green fees.
    We didn't even touch private clubs and the economic impact
    there. Cart fee, merchandise, food and beverage--it is into the
    tens of millions of dollars in opportunity, and that is great
    for the economy, but it also gets people outside recreating
    together. The social and mental health benefits of golf are
    well documented. I think there is nothing better to build
    relationships when you are on a golf course with someone for 2,
    3, 4 hours.
        So there are health benefits and economic benefits, and
    what I haven't heard is the economic benefits of standard time.
    There may be some health arguments, but I haven't heard any
    economic arguments. I think more sunlight in the afternoon has
    health and economic.
        Mr. Obernolte. Right. Well, I mean, I think that we should
    give States the option. You know, we right now give States the
    option to either switch back and forth or to adopt permanent
    standard time, and very few States have chosen not to switch
    back and forth, despite the overwhelming evidence. And, you
    know, this bill would just enable States to make that choice to
    adopt full-time, permanent daylight savings time, and I think
    that you will see the wholesale adoption of that if we give
    States that option.
        So I would urge this committee to move this bill forward,
    to have a markup on it, and let's have this conversation. I
    yield back.
        Ms. Lee. The Chair now recognizes Ms. Trahan for 5 minutes.
        Ms. Trahan. Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you to our
    witnesses today for being here and for certainly your
    expertise.
        So I feel that there is a strong case to be made for
    permanent daylight savings time. My argument is twofold. First,
    disrupting Americans' circadian rhythms is bad policy, and
    Congress should settle on a single standard.
        Second, daylight savings time is preferable to standard
    time. When our circadian rhythms are disrupted, brain
    functioning worsens. And Dr. Kleppe seems to uncover precisely
    this phenomenon in his study on investor responsiveness after
    the March time shift.
        Dr. Kleppe, can you summarize briefly the impacts of DST
    adjustments on investor performance that you found in your
    research?
        Dr. Kleppe. Yes, I would be happy to. Thank you,
    Congresswoman.
        So, yes, our research does focus specifically on the
    potential cost of switching from--to and from permanent time--
    permanent standard time to permanent daylight saving time. And
    what we find is that investors are slower to incorporate
    earnings news into their evaluations of companies through stock
    prices in that window right after the time change.
        And we think that has a couple of big implications. So, you
    know, when prices don't reflect underlying value because of
    this market inefficiency, it is basically bad for everyone
    because it potentially creates higher risk and uncertainty
    because we don't know what the true value is, and it can create
    disparities across investors.
        So in particular what we find in our research is that, you
    know, retail investors are likely at a disadvantage than more
    sophisticated investors, and so there is a chance for this--
    worse trading outcomes for retail investors because they are
    less able to overcome some of these cognitive impairment issues
    that come from changing time.
        So that is really what our research can speak to. The issue
    of what do we do if we choose to not switch becomes a lot more
    complicated.
        Ms. Trahan. I will get there. You know, in a nutshell, Dr.
    Kleppe found that investors weren't as sharp after the clock
    shift. Analogize this effect to kids in a classroom or drivers
    on the road. Put simply, the aggregate impacts of lowered
    cognition across society appear profound. So I do believe the
    evidence is clear, it is time for us to decide on one standard
    and to just stick with it.
        But what should that standard be: standard time, as it is
    so called, or DST? And I would argue DST. During this
    committee's last hearing on DST, we heard testimony about the
    mental health benefits associated with having an extra hour of
    sunlight in the evening.
        So let's also explore the small business impacts. Mr.
    Karen, in your testimony you emphasize the significant economic
    impacts associated with additional evening sunlight. Can you
    elaborate on why DST is preferable to standard time for golf
    course owners, in particular, and small business owners more
    generally?
        Mr. Karen. With pleasure. So the golf industry is made up
    of 15,000 small business operators, and their businesses track
    to what we call recreational daylight, when Americans are
    available to play golf, and if the sunlight tracks better with
    when Americans are available to play golf is only better for
    the economy and for their health. It is as simple as that.
        And, you know, the interesting thing to this discussion--we
    are talking about standard versus daylight saving time, and
    daylight saving time is already 8 months of the year. In an
    ironic way it is our standard time. It is not the exception.
    And over time, Congress has closed that window of standard time
    to make it smaller and smaller over time. So I think we have
    already been moving in that direction for decades. It is a
    matter of now just kind of having the fortitude to choose one,
    and obviously our industry is mixed, but we strongly favor
    daylight saving time.
        Ms. Trahan. Thank you. That is a great point. I mean,
    ultimately, the evidence shows that switching our clocks twice
    a year harms cognition, disrupts daily life, affects mental
    health, decreases opportunities for families and businesses
    alike. But by adopting permanent daylight savings time we can
    establish a single, consistent standard that confers real
    benefits on all Americans, especially our children. So thank
    you.
        I yield back.
        Mr. Bilirakis [presiding]. All right. Thank you. The
    gentlelady yields back.
        We will recognize Mr. Kean from the great State of New
    Jersey. You are recognized for 5 minutes for your questioning,
    sir.
        Mr. Kean. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you to our
    distinguish witnesses for being here today.
        New Jersey is the proud home to many important travel and
    tourism destinations. From our historic Revolutionary War
    battlefields, to our New Jersey Shore, the Appalachian Trail,
    rivers, lakes, small towns, golf courses, to our stadiums, New
    Jersey boasts some of the greatest sites in the United States,
    and I look forward to hearing from our witnesses on the impact
    of their industries in bringing tourism and travel to New
    Jersey and to the United States.
        Ms. Maietta, the State of New Jersey is pleased to host
    eight matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The hospitality
    industry is critical to hosting these important matches. Could
    you please share how the hospitality industry is preparing for
    these highly anticipated events?
        Ms. Maietta. Congressman, thank you for the question.
        We are accustomed to holding and hosting big events all the
    time, but of course bringing in so many people at the same time
    simultaneously does present some unique challenges, but also
    opportunities. Right now, our industry is working very closely
    with law enforcement and city officials and all stakeholders
    involved to ensure that we are prepared. I would encourage
    that--those lines of communication to stay open.
        Thank you for serving on the caucus. We commend the
    administration for setting up task forces around these big
    events to ensure that they go off without a hitch and are as
    smooth as possible.
        I would also say that it is important that we are well
    staffed for those. So, again, H-2B visas, releasing those
    supplemental visas in a timely way so that staff can be there
    in time for the games will be critical.
        Thank you.
        Mr. Kean. Thank you. And following up on this, the
    northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States are home to many
    important Revolutionary War battlefields. While battles in
    neighboring States are often highlighted, I would like to note,
    for the record, that some of the most decisive American
    victories of the Revolutionary War took place in my home State
    of New Jersey. These include battles such as the Battle of
    Trenton and the Battle of Springfield.
        As we approach the 250th anniversary of American
    independence, can you share the important role the hospitality
    industry plays in supporting travel and tourism to these
    important American battlefields in New Jersey?
        Ms. Maietta. Thank you for that question. I think we have a
    tremendous opportunity around the celebrations tied to our
    250th anniversary--birthday, I should say. That presents a
    really unique opportunity to encourage people to go out and see
    the best that America has to offer, driving more, travel,
    incentivizing people to travel, making it easier to travel.
        Next year really presents a unique opportunity, and our
    industry is working really hard to highlight historic hotels
    that are iconic and that play and have played an important role
    in the history of this country.
        Mr. Kean. Thank you.
        Mr. Karen, New Jersey is home to countless athletes. My
    district alone had four New Jerseyans compete in the Summer
    2024 Olympics. How do the athletics industry and athletics
    across New Jersey bring increased travel and tourism to our
    State?
        Mr. Karen. Great question. First of all, it is amazing to
    have four Olympians. As someone who lived in Haddon Heights for
    several years, I absolutely love the Garden State.
        And travel athletics is enormous in America, right. So you
    are asking about how to capitalize on that. I would say to make
    sure that your State tourism and local market--destination
    marketing organizations are fully funded and fully staffed so
    that they can build the partnerships with these athletic-based
    organizations. Let them do the work they are good at and build
    those relationships, recruit them into your State to have those
    fantastic tournaments, events, and so forth.
        Mr. Kean. Thank you. So what--you know, there are many
    recreational facilities across New Jersey that contribute to
    the economic benefits, whether they be stadiums, whether they
    be golf courses, many other small businesses in between. What
    are some of the things specific to each of these industries
    that you would recommend for a State like New Jersey and the
    Nation?
        Mr. Karen. Sure. So, you know, just spitballing here a
    little bit, but recreational facilities certainly help ensure
    the people of New Jersey are healthy. They are spending their
    time and money outside of hospitals and doctors' offices and
    into the economy, right. And that means that more people in New
    Jersey are enjoying their life and spending their money
    wherever they are. So there is a direct benefit there between
    recreating and enjoying your life--a longer, healthier life--
    and being able to add to the economy.
        But I also don't want to forget, especially New Jersey, the
    environmental benefit, not just the economic benefit, of
    several hundred golf courses around New Jersey, some of the
    best in the world.
        Mr. Kean. I would agree with that too.
        Mr. Karen. You know, they offer much-needed green space in
    a pretty densely populated State. Even places like Bayonne Golf
    Club, which was turned from an environmentally disastrous piece
    of land into a very healthy living green space. That happened
    at Liberty National as well. So New Jersey has been a leading
    example of the environmental positivity of recreational places.
        Mr. Kean. Great outdoors, great shore. Many people--more
    people need to come to New Jersey for our wonderful tourism
    industry. Thank you, and I yield back.
        Mr. Bilirakis. The gentleman yields back.
        Now we will recognize Ms. Clarke for her 5 minutes of
    questioning.
        Ms. Clarke. Good morning. And thank you, Mr. Chairman and
    Ranking Member Schakowsky, for holding this hearing. And thank
    you to our witnesses for joining us today.
        I am proud to say that my hometown, Brooklyn, New York
    City, is an iconic travel destination that imagery is evoked in
    music, culture, art, and whose landmarks are internationally
    recognized. And as the Notorious B.I.G. would say, ``If you
    don't know, now you know.''
        New York City is the number one international travel
    destination in the United States, welcoming millions every
    year, not to mention New York State, and of course Niagara
    Falls, Canada, and our border. Our average international
    travelers make up 20 percent of my city's visitors and 50
    percent of tourism spending. International tourists typically
    spend twice as much as domestic travelers, stay longer, and may
    go on to visit other cities within the United States.
        It is undeniable that welcoming tourism benefits New York
    and the United States. However, the cruel, inhumane immigration
    policies of this administration have carried into the tourism
    industry, and for the first time since COVID, international and
    domestic travel is decreasing.
        For reference, New York City is expected to welcome over 3
    million fewer international travelers in 2025 than in 2024. The
    harsh rhetoric and detainment of legal tourists by this
    administration have cultivated a climate of fear and hostility
    that deters international travelers so much so that the United
    States is the only country to see a decline in spending from
    international visitors in 2025.
        Tourism is an essential column of the economy, and not just
    in New York. In 2024 alone, travel to the United States
    produced $2.9 trillion in economic output, supported 15 million
    jobs, and generated $89 billion in State and local tax revenue.
    Not only are we suffering from Trump's delusional economic
    policies, but now also having potential tourists avoiding our
    Nation due to his inhumane, barbaric, and fear-mongering
    immigration policies and further contributing to our
    deteriorating economic health.
        Ms. Simon, aside from harmful rhetoric, what immigration
    policies have you found to be particularly detrimental to the
    inbound tourism industry, and what ways can Congress help
    address these concerns?
        Ms. Simon. Thank you, Congresswoman. And you are absolutely
    right about New York City, it is one of the biggest--well, it
    is the biggest draw for international visitors and a major
    gateway, obviously, for them to enter the country.
        Thank you for the question. You know, the policies that we
    have seen that have really impacted visita--the image of U.S.
    for visitation include really the hardened enforcement of
    immigration policies and the global attention that it is
    getting on those expansive policies. It is creating concern and
    fear and a sentiment that they are just not welcome here in the
    United States.
        We need to be very clear, the Government needs to be very
    clear, that visitation is not immigration and that we welcome
    international visitors. We want them here. We want them to
    come, contribute to our economy, and experience all that the
    U.S. has to offer.
        We really need to eliminate the proposed $250 visa
    integrity fee. That is going to make it so expensive just to
    enter the country, on top of the application fee that is
    already $185. And then higher fees targeting international
    visitors in general, both for entry as well as entering the
    national parks. They feel like they are targeted, and they
    really need to understand that we want them here.
        Ms. Clarke. Absolutely. They feel they are being targeted.
    Let's call it what it is, and so it is unfortunate. But let me
    thank you for your response.
        The administration's treatment towards international
    tourists is especially concerning to me as, next year, the New
    York region will be hosting multiple games and the final game
    of the FIFA World Cup, one of the most internationally attended
    sporting events. The World Cup attracts fans not only to games
    but to hosting cities to celebrate their team in dedicated fan
    zones. With 16 host cities spanning all over North American, we
    are expecting millions of visitors.
        Next year, New York and the other cities will be on the
    world stage, but how can we possibly expect to keep all these
    fans and tourists safe when we have an administration that is
    hell-bent on demonizing anyone who is not born here?
        I encourage my colleagues to get serious about the
    implications of this administration's policies and have had--
    that they have had and how they have metastasized in so many
    critical industries.
        With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
        Mr. Bilirakis. I thank the gentlelady.
        Now we will recognize Mrs. Cammack and her beautiful
    daughter, Augie, for 5 minutes of questioning.
        Mrs. Cammack. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I appreciate
    everyone's patience.
        As a working mom, and certainly a mom in the newborn
    trenches, this issue of daylight savings time actually really
    does impact all parents who are right now in the trenches with
    us. So I want to thank Chairman Bilirakis for his opening
    statement, particularly his remarks about the Sunshine State.
        Tourism is not just a sector in our economy. It is the
    backbone of our State. It is the number one economic driver of
    Florida, as well as agriculture a quick number two right behind
    it. So whether we are dealing with packed stadiums during our
    University of Florida Gator games or families are traveling to
    fish or golf, the Sunshine State is a year-round mecca of
    activity.
        And as we have heard today, the tourism and hospitality
    industries are facing significant pressures, whether it is
    hotels struggling with workforce shortages or rising operation
    costs, outdoor recreation industries, such as golf and fishing,
    are very sensitive, as I said, to daylight hours.
        So as we talk about Florida's economy, but, of course,
    nationally, some of the challenges as we are going through this
    issue, I want to start out with Rosanna--is it ``My-etta''? Did
    I say that right?
        Ms. Maietta. Yes.
        Mrs. Cammack. All right. Good. Good deal.
        So many rural areas like mine in north central Florida, we
    depend heavily on seasonal tourism driven by activities such as
    fishing in the Gulf of America or small-town festivals. We have
    everything from a watermelon festival--which I am the seed-
    spitting champion in Newberry, by the way, I should point out--
    to zucchini festivals, you name it. This is a huge economic
    driver for our region.
        So your testimony highlighted significant workforce
    shortages and the operational costs that continue to go up and
    the lingering impacts of the shutdown. So for rural communities
    that rely on just a few peak tourism windows to sustain them
    year-round, what Federal actions specifically or policy
    changes--and I want you to be very specific--would most help
    seasonal hotels, small lodging operators, and tourism-dependent
    businesses that remain fully staffed, financially stable, and
    able to meet the demand through those critical periods?
        Ms. Maietta. Well, thank you so much for the question.
        You know, I have spoken already about the need for the H-2B
    visas. I do think that that is a program that needs some
    specific reforms. It hasn't really been reformed since 1990
    when it first started. Sixty-six thousand H-2B visas are simply
    not enough for the demand.
        We know that our hotel owners are creating housing to
    ensure that they can support people onsite during those peak
    periods so they don't have to travel back and forth, because so
    many, as you noted, are in rural areas.
        The second program I would say that we have invested and
    been proud to be a part of is the Department of Labor's
    apprenticeship program. That is a longer-term solution. We have
    been working to increase the number of apprentices throughout
    our industry over the past 7 years, and we have seen increased
    retention at the end of it with a job promotion and a salary
    increase for those who go through that program. That is another
    critical program that we rely on.
        Mrs. Cammack. Thank you. I appreciate that.
        And, Dr. Kleppe, wanted to talk to you specifically about
    agriculture. So there is this urban legend that this all
    started at the behest of some farmers and ranchers, and I have
    to say for the record, that is not true. But this is a huge
    issue in our agricultural communities.
        So while your research focuses primarily on the economic
    and behavioral effects of daylight savings time, transitions on
    markets, and et cetera, I want you to talk a little bit about
    the impact to agriculture as it relates to daylight saving time
    and what we could see should we decide that we make a jump away
    from the biannual time change.
        Dr. Kleppe. Thank you, Congresswoman. And as a parent of a
    young child as well, I know very--very saliently right now that
    kids do not care about us changing the clocks on their sleep
    patterns.
        So thank you so much for your question. And you bring up a
    very important issue, and it kind of relates to kind of
    something I mentioned earlier about, you know, there are
    obviously different economic arguments for permanent standard
    time versus permanent daylight saving time. We heard some of
    the arguments from the other witnesses about the benefits of
    permanent daylight saving time.
        The agricultural industry--again, outside of my specific
    research--but the academic literature on that suggests that
    permanent standard time would be more beneficial to the
    agriculture industry than permanent daylight saving time. That
    is my understanding of that tangential research.
        And so it highlights that it is--it is not, again, clear
    economically what is beneficial--choosing to stay permanently
    on standard time versus daylight saving time--and so there is
    going to be regional and industry-specific preferences that you
    as Congress Members will have to sort out if you decide to kind
    of end the biannual shifts. But I think the research is clear
    that biannual shifts are harming us all across the entire
    economy.
        Mrs. Cammack. I appreciate that. Thank you.
        And my time has expired. I yield.
        Mr. Bilirakis. Very good. Thank you. Thank you so much.
        Now we have Representative Veasey. You are recognized for 5
    minutes for your questioning.
        Mr. Veasey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        I think this is a fascinating conversation, particularly
    around the daylight savings time piece. As someone that has
    gotten up very early in the morning to go sit in a duck blind
    to go hunting and wading through water, I would love to have a
    couple extra hours of sleep so I could go to the blind a little
    bit later, and so I totally get that.
        But I do want to remind everybody--and I am sure it has
    been touched, I believe, during the opening--your opening
    statements, so I am sure it has been touched upon, but I do
    want to remind everybody about some of the history around this.
        On January 7, 1974, in Washington, DC., the sun rose at
    8:27 a.m. back then and it was jet black outside, and kids
    literally went to school with flashlights. Moms gave kids
    flashlights to go to school. And, of course, when things like
    that happen, more accidents happen. And, of course, after just
    a short time period, mamas all around the country started to
    clickety-click and said, ``No mas, we don't want to do this
    anymore,'' and the Nixon administration promptly changed that.
        And it is really fascinating to go back and look at some of
    the history, because there was even one Representative before
    that time that talked about putting the United States on just
    one time zone--it was a Representative of Hawaii--just having
    everybody have the same time. And so as we go back and forth
    and look at this, I think that it is absolutely incredible.
        But I do want to take the time to ask you--and I hope that
    we can come back and visit this issue on daylight savings time.
    But with us having FIFA coming to DFW, I wanted to specifically
    talk to you about that. And I wanted to ask Ms. Simon about the
    long-term impact that an event like FIFA can have to boost
    tourism for SMBs and for the World Cup. How can areas like DFW
    transfer that into long-term economic growth for the region?
    Because I know that there is a housing issue that I know that
    we are worried about in DFW because people are going to have to
    drive in from long distances to come to FIFA.
        So how can regions like ours translate this into long-term
    opportunity?
        Ms. Simon. Thank you, Congressman, that is a great
    question.
        It happens that, currently, there's good signs that there's
    already long-term demand for the United States, which is
    fantastic, even though we are seeing a decline this year and we
    won't be seeing numbers that reach prepandemic levels until
    2029. But what we--what we can do to really focus on World Cup
    and taking advantage of that is, as we get this influx of
    visitors into the country, we can showcase what we have to
    offer. They are going to be seeing not only the host cities and
    the surrounding areas, but they are going to be traveling from
    host city to host city and destination to destination and
    experiencing, again, all the different things that they can do
    and see here, including national parks, small and rural
    communities, authentic experiences. They will take those
    messages home and share what a wonderful destination the United
    States is, and that is going to help feed our long-term growth.
        Congress can help, obviously, with, again, Brand USA,
    getting Brand USA fully funded for the next couple of years,
    making sure it is reauthorized in 2027 so that they are in
    market driving that demand with potential international
    travelers, again, recognizing and promoting the small
    businesses, the rural areas, and the opportunities that
    travel--international travelers have in the United States.
        Mr. Veasey. And speaking of international travelers, one of
    the big advantages that we have in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
    is DFW Airport, where you can get to just about anywhere in the
    world coming out of our regional airport there.
        And as travel and tourism are key economic drivers, what
    can Congress do to help streamline travel processes, such as
    visa processing, airport capacity, security procedures, to
    ensure that international visitors can easily access the
    Dallas-Fort Worth region for events like FIFA?
        Ms. Simon. Yes. Again, thank you for the question. Very
    good question.
        We need modernized technology in our airports. We really
    need to advance our airport and transportation systems and
    infrastructures to make sure that the ease of traveling and
    safety for international travelers, as well as Americans, is
    looked after. We also need to eliminate the proposed $250 visa
    integrity fee and other fees that are targeted to international
    travelers.
        Mr. Veasey. Taxes.
        Ms. Simon. Exactly.
        Mr. Veasey. That is right.
        Ms. Simon. And there is a new fee that is proposing higher
    entrance fees for international visitors to national parks. So
    we just think those types of things are prohibitive on making
    it feel--making international visitors feel like they are not
    welcome here.
        Mr. Veasey. Yes. Thank you very much.
        Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.
        Mr. Bilirakis. Thank you. Appreciate it very much.
        Now we will recognize Mr. Fry from the great State of South
    Carolina. Thanks for your patience.
        Mr. Fry. Thank you, Chairman, for having this hearing
    today.
        I have the privilege of representing South Carolina's
    Seventh Congressional District, which is known predominantly as
    Myrtle Beach, at least on the coast. We have got some great
    agricultural sectors in the western part of the district, but
    the Grand Strand is considered 60 miles of beach. It is 60
    miles of beach.
        And we have roughly 790,000 people, obviously, that live in
    the district, but every year the Myrtle Beach area sees 18
    million people come to our area, which is, if you take it
    proportionally, there are 20 visitors for every one resident.
    It is kind of astounding when you think about it.
        Tourism in the Grand Strand generates tens of billions of
    dollars in economic impact, supports tens of thousands of jobs.
    In the district we talk about tourism, but we are really
    talking about the livelihoods of the folks that I represent,
    not only the small business owners themselves but the waitress
    at the beachside cafe, the person who is a bartender down in
    Murrells Inlet, the individual who is a golf pro or works at
    one of our close to 90 golf courses in the Grand Strand area.
    Tourism is our lifeblood on the coast.
        We talk about Florida, obviously we are in much the same
    boat. So this is very important. Tourism matters to the people
    that I represent. Sports tourism is huge. That matters.
    Recreation matters. You have not only got the beaches but you
    have got this recreational tourism that exists in the
    ecosystem, where people can kayak on the Black River or visit
    some of our incredible botanical gardens. There are just so
    many things to do. So it is very important. I think this topic
    is very critical as well.
        Mr. Karen, you estimate that permanent standard time would
    eliminate roughly 37 million rounds of golf and $1.6 billion in
    green fee revenue nationwide, while a permanent daylight
    savings time would add 23 million rounds of golf and about $1
    billion. Can you translate what that might mean to a region
    like Myrtle Beach or some of the courses that you might see in
    Florida or elsewhere?
        Mr. Karen. Sure. So Myrtle Beach is one of the most mature
    and actually progressive golf markets in America. It was really
    the first true destination market for golf. If standard time
    was made permanent, it would cripple the spring, summer, and
    fall seasons in that market. So all those travelers that enjoy
    visiting Myrtle Beach either would not come because they
    couldn't get the 36 holes in a day that they used to, and it
    would have certainly a rippling effect in the economy there
    locally. It could be very damaging to a destination like Myrtle
    Beach if that was to be the case.
        Mr. Fry. Thank you for that.
        Ms. Maietta, how are we ensuring that we have a workforce
    scaled to meet heightened demand during major sporting events
    in the coming years?
        Ms. Maietta. Thank you for that question, Congressman. I
    know you are a champion of H-2B visas, so I am going to talk
    about that some more.
        I think that is critical, especially in places like Myrtle
    Beach and other places in South Carolina where it may be hard
    to get to and find that staffing that you need. Ensuring that
    we can rely on that program is essential to supporting a lot of
    our resort communities, far-flung destination communities.
        Mr. Fry. Thank you for that. And, similarly, in your
    testimony, you note that for every hundred dollars that is
    spent at a hotel, $234 gets spent in the surrounding community.
    Can you walk us through what that might look like in a place
    like Myrtle Beach----
        Ms. Maietta. Sure.
        Mr. Fry [continuing]. Or Darlington for their Darlington
    500 that they do? Who exactly is getting that, those dollars?
    Is it the waitress? Is it the golf caddy? Is it the boardwalk
    shops? I mean, how does that translate through a local economy?
        Ms. Maietta. That is exactly right, and those are perfect
    examples. Yes, those extra dollars are going into the
    community. People will come and go to a resort, but they will
    visit the bar across the way or the restaurant. They will stop
    in and buy some, you know, clothes. They will go to the mall.
        So coming to one hotel destination means that the rest of
    the community is benefiting. And that is why you see, when
    hotels go up, they are supporting other small businesses. And
    so it is really the central fabric of a community.
        Mr. Fry. Thank you for that.
        Dr. Kleppe, your testimony notes studies linking daylight
    savings time shifts to more traffic accidents, workplace
    injuries, harsher sentencing, and even heart attacks and brain
    issues. If that is what is happening around the clock change,
    what is your best sense of how that might play out in a tourism
    town where people are driving long distances, working often odd
    or long hours, and relying on service workers?
        Dr. Kleppe. Yes, thank you, Congressman, for the question.
        I mean, I think the evidence, you know, that you cited that
    we cite in our work and that we build off of is there is a
    pretty good consensus that any economic activity, including
    tourism, you know, including transportation, you know, driving,
    all the things you mentioned--those activities are likely to be
    harmed by these time shifts because of the cognitive impairment
    that we all experience and that we cannot counteract.
        And so I think whenever you have, with tourism
    specifically, people traveling, working odd hours, certainly
    those could have economic impacts and safety consequences.
        Mr. Fry. Thank you for that.
        I see my time is expired, and I yield back.
        Mr. Bilirakis. The gentleman yields back.
        Now we will recognize Mr. Evans from the great State of
    Colorado. Thanks for your patience, sir. You are a great
    Member. Thank you.
        Mr. Evans. Thanks, Chairman, Ranking Member. And, of
    course, thank you so much to our witnesses for coming.
        And as the chairman said, I am from Colorado, born and
    raised. Big tourism State: Rocky Mountains, hunting, fishing,
    skiing, snowboarding, all of the different things that you can
    do in Colorado. Over $28 billion annually in our tourism
    industry.
        We are typically a top-10 tourist destination of the 50
    States, and so making sure that we have a good tourism
    industry, hotels, lodging--we have some fantastic golf
    courses--one of my first jobs was working at a golf course
    cleaning the golf carts--is critically important to me. But,
    unfortunately, we also know how fast, how quickly a good news
    story can go to being a bad news story.
        Colorado is, unfortunately, the sixth most heavily
    regulated State in the country right now, and it is crushing
    our economy. Between February of last year and February of this
    year, Colorado's private sector lost 14,700 jobs. This is the
    second-largest decrease in the country.
        During that same time period, employment in the State's
    public sector, so government jobs, grew by 15,200 jobs. That is
    the second-highest growth rate in the Nation. So our public
    sector is struggling in Colorado.
        We are seeing the same thing, unfortunately, in crime
    statistics. I was a police officer in the Denver metro area for
    over 10 years. In 2011, when I started, Colorado was better
    than the national average for our crime rate. This year, we are
    the second most dangerous State in the country.
        Denver--6 years ago, Denver didn't even make the top 50
    most dangerous cities in the country list. And now we have seen
    Denver has had double the homicide rate per capita of San
    Francisco and is ranked the tenth most dangerous city in the
    country.
        And so my question to Ms. Maietta is, can you comment on
    the impact that crime statistics like these have when people
    are traveling in from out of State, they are looking for a
    hotel, they are looking for someplace to stay? What is the
    impact that elevated crime rates like this have on your
    industry and the broader economy of the region?
        Ms. Maietta. Thank you, Congressman, for that question.
        Look, safety and security is our top priority for our
    guests and our employees. So ensuring that people feel safe
    when they are going to a hotel and visiting a city is
    important. And that is why we work really hard to create
    partnerships with local law enforcement, with city officials,
    with local government, to ensure that we are dealing with those
    issues around safety and security together and that business is
    part of the solution.
        You have seen success stories like San Francisco, where
    they have tackled the issues of crime and safety and
    homelessness together with industry. Now, San Francisco, which
    was at the bottom of occupancy, is now rising up to becoming a
    top destination.
        So there are pathways to making sure that people know
    what--you know, that markets are safe and that cities are safe
    to visit.
        Mr. Evans. Does your industry have any sort of statistics
    around correlation or causation? You see a dip in guests and in
    visitors when crime gets worse, the inverse happen when crime
    gets better. Do you have anything like that?
        Ms. Maietta. I don't have that data top of mind, but I am
    sure we can look and share that with your staff.
        Mr. Evans. Fantastic. Moving a little bit more local in
    this line of questioning, what happens--you know, we have
    talked nationally. What happens at the local level when a hotel
    or some other sort of a lodging venue closes? Can you speak on
    the impact that that has on a local economy?
        Ms. Maietta. Sure, absolutely. And, unfortunately, we have
    seen that all too well this year. You know, operating costs
    have risen 4 times faster than revenue in the last 5 years. And
    so what we are seeing is small businesses, which our industry
    is primarily made up of small businesses, simply can't afford
    to stay open. And so we have seen closures. That impacts jobs
    and that impacts the local community that relies on a hotel to
    create more economic flow.
        Mr. Evans. So that sixth most heavily regulated economy
    effect in the Nation and that bleeding of private-sector jobs,
    14,700 private sector jobs lost--that is going to have a
    negative impact on your industry, correct?
        Ms. Maietta. That is exactly right. And I think, you know,
    things like the American Franchising Act--60 percent of our
    industry is franchised. And so passage of that law, which would
    bring some certainty to the industry, would be most helpful.
        Mr. Evans. I totally hear you there. I see my time is
    running short, so just appreciated your comments and the
    written testimony about the 199 passthrough deduction for small
    business and how important that is to keeping your business and
    our tourism economy strong.
        I yield back.
        Mr. Bilirakis. Thank you. The gentleman yields back.
        Now we will recognize Mrs. Houchin for her 5 minutes of
    questioning.
        Mrs. Houchin. Thank you, Chairman Bilirakis and Ranking
    Member Schakowsky, for holding this hearing. Thank you to our
    witnesses for being here and for offering your testimony.
        I am happy to be here, Mr. Chairman, although I must admit
    I was a bit disappointed when I learned that this hearing
    wasn't about time travel tourism and that commas matter. I
    guess we will have to wait until technology catches up to our
    imaginations.
        But in the meantime, we are focused today on something that
    is very real for my constituents: ending the twice-yearly
    ritual of changing clocks and making better use of the daylight
    we have.
        I come from an area of Indiana where we used to refer to
    fast time and slow time, and I am a proud cosponsor of H.R.
    139, the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025.
        The bill is simple and true to its name. It would make
    daylight savings time the new standard time nationwide, putting
    that extra hour of light where families can actually use it, in
    the evening. We know that there are health implications and
    commerce implications, as well as safety implications, with the
    constant changing of our clocks. It is not an abstract issue
    for my constituents.
        In a recent survey by text message, more than 90 percent of
    respondents said they want to stop changing the clocks and
    stick with one consistent schedule. They are tired of dark late
    afternoons in the winter, tired of disrupted sleep schedules
    for their kids, tired of the productivity hit and the confusion
    that comes with springing forward and falling back. In fact, we
    used to tell my kids, when it was still light outside and it
    was bedtime, that outside was closed, so we could get them to
    go to bed.
        So with that in mind, I do want to turn to our witnesses.
        Mr. Karen, I am interested in learning more about your
    perspective on the effects of the time changes themselves. I
    have mentioned some of those. What are some of the real-world
    downsides of our current spring-forward-and-fall-back system?
        Mr. Karen. So I only know the cursory research of the
    downside of the actual changing. We have heard it. It is
    economic. It is crime. Judges give harsher punishments the
    morning after clocks change than they do every other time of
    the year.
        Mrs. Houchin. Oh, my husband is a judge, so I wonder if
    that probably is. I will have to ask.
        Mr. Karen. Well, what we are learning is people are cranky
    and they are not sharp the day after the clocks change, and so
    that is--I don't study that, but I certainly have perspective
    on which to choose.
        And so we are in favor of locking the clock and choosing a
    side, and in our case, you said it perfectly, to make better
    use of the sun.
        Mrs. Houchin. Yes.
        Mr. Karen. And Americans, they would rather recreate in the
    afternoons and the evenings than at 4, 5, 6 o'clock in the
    morning.
        Mrs. Houchin. I certainly am in that camp. But I also think
    that, from a safety perspective, this is an issue, and it is
    relevant to the commerce question that we have and how we are
    operating over time, and exactly health concerns for longevity
    if we are constantly switching our sleep schedules. Those are
    all factors that are important to consider.
        Mr. Karen, if Congress were to adopt permanent daylight
    savings time, what benefits would you expect to see in
    communities where your members operate?
        Mr. Karen. Simply more Americans being outside walking
    around, playing sports, whether it is golf, tennis, pickleball,
    you name it, out there investing in their own health. And that
    is going to allow people to live longer, and that will have an
    economic impact on society as well. So----
        Mrs. Houchin. This is one of the issues, truly, we hear a
    lot about twice a year, and it is something that I hope we will
    be able to do.
        My constituents certainly have made it clear that they do
    want one consistent system, more daylight in the evenings and
    an end to dark afternoons that cut into family time and hurt
    our local businesses.
        The Sunshine Protection Act is practical. It is a
    bipartisan answer. It supports families, workers, and
    communities while putting an end to the disruptive clock
    changes.
        I want to thank the committee again and to the witnesses
    for sharing your insights. I look forward to working together
    to hopefully make this happen. Thank you so much.
        I yield back.
        Mr. Bilirakis. Thank you. The gentlelady yields back.
        Now we will recognize Mr. James from the great State of
    Michigan. You are recognized for your 5 minutes of questioning,
    sir.
        Mr. James. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        I appreciate all the panelists being here today and I am
    looking forward to hearing from you about your perspective.
    These issues are not only important to the Nation but also our
    constituents.
        Chairman Guthrie and Chairman Bilirakis, I couldn't agree
    with you more: Travel and tourism are key drivers to both our
    local and national economies. It is essential that we explore
    the best ways to strengthen and capitalize on these
    opportunities for our country.
        But also, as we deal with other crises--mental health
    crises, seasonal depression, for northern States like mine,
    Michigan, places that are on the western side of the eastern
    time zone and farther north--we can address mental health
    issues by extending the time and the clock, potentially also
    saving lives.
        I will get directly to my question. Mr. Kleppe, what other
    related research is relevant to the issue of financial and
    economic implications of daylight savings time policy that
    maybe you have not discussed as of yet?
        Dr. Kleppe. Yes. Thank you, Congressman, for that question.
        I do have a brief summary prepared of some of the other
    relevant research, and so, you know, specifically to kind of
    economic and financial market effects of these biannual time
    shifts.
        So beyond the evidence that we provided in our study of
    investors being impaired in their decision making and the
    effects that has on market efficiency, there is also recent
    research that finds that other economic and capital markets
    participants are negatively affected, including individuals
    that forecast earnings, which provides a very important
    information dissemination role to the capital markets. There is
    evidence that investors' reactions to merger announcements are
    worse after DST adjustments.
        And one study that is not yet peer reviewed but is in the
    process that kind of gets at more of the maybe the personal
    household finance issue is that there is evidence now in this
    study that for loans that are applied for, including mortgage
    loans, after DST advances, that the default rates are higher,
    suggesting that contracting on loans is worse, which has not
    only, you know, corporate economic implications but also kind
    of personal household finance complications as well. So we----
        Mr. James. So you are saying that by addressing this issue
    we might also put a dent in the affordability issue around the
    country?
        Dr. Kleppe. Again, I can't speak directly to--this is not
    my research, but what I can say is that the impairment from
    these time shifts has the potential to, again, lead to worse
    contracting when it comes to loans and could hurt households in
    loan contracting.
        Mr. James. So let's step out into going from a little bit
    more micro to a little bit more macro.
        Could you share the implications of reduced market
    efficiency caused by DST adjustments?
        Dr. Kleppe. Yes, that is a great question. So, first of
    all, I will say the U.S. is kind of the hallmark of--our
    capital markets are the hallmark of efficiency and
    sophistication, which sets us apart from the rest of the world.
    And so when markets become less efficient, there are
    implications for both investors and the companies seeking
    capital in those markets.
        So on the investor side, less efficient markets means that
    determinations of value are harder. And individuals that have
    information advantages, usually more sophisticated or insider
    investors, can trade more profitably relative to retail
    investors, which creates disparities that are not good for
    markets.
        And then on the company side, when there is, you know, more
    inefficiency, the cost of capital and raising capital and
    accessing those investors becomes more costly. And so that
    increased cost of capital impairs their, you know, companies'
    ability to invest and grow, and so for--obviously, which has
    broader economic concerns as well.
        So for both investors and companies, and markets in
    general, inefficiency in markets is just bad. And there is a
    long--decades of research in accounting, finance, and economics
    that support that.
        Mr. James. Thank you.
        Mr. Chairman, I yield to Mr. Carter the balance of my time.
        Mr. Bilirakis. The gentleman is recognized.
        Mr. Carter of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
        Thank you all for being here.
        Folks, I have the honor and privilege of representing the
    First Congressional District of Georgia, which encompasses the
    entire coast of Georgia, over 110 miles of pristine coastline.
    Obviously, tourism is a big part of our economy. In fact, it is
    the number two--second-largest economic contributor to the
    State of Georgia.
        In 2024, Georgia saw a record 174.2 million domestic and
    international visitors in total. And in 2024, visitors spent
    $45.2 billion--that is with a B--on Georgia's hotels,
    restaurants, transportation, and other local businesses. That
    saved each Georgia taxpayer--each Georgia household, I should
    say--over $1,200 in taxes, and that is significant.
        And guess what? Next year, FIFA, the FIFA World Cup coming
    to Atlanta, the biggest sports event on the planet coming to
    Atlanta, Georgia. Goalllll! We are excited. We are very
    excited.
        Ms. Maietta, what are your expectations for the 2026 FIFA
    World Cup, and how would they drive occupancy and revenue?
        Ms. Maietta. Congressman, thank you for the question. You
    represent a stunning district and you have been a longtime
    industry champion. We are grateful for your support.
        We are excited too about the World Cup. It will represent
    about $500 million in economic revenue for Georgia, and we are
    taking steps to ensure that we are collaborating with law
    enforcement and all stakeholders involved, local government
    officials, to make sure that we can have a seamless experience
    for all the guests who are coming and who can get to the games
    and enjoy the rest of Atlanta and that the State has to offer.
        Mr. Carter of Georgia. Absolutely. In your opening
    testimony, you mentioned franchising several times. What can
    Congress do to support small business hotel owners and
    operators?
        Ms. Maietta. Thank you for that question. I know you are a
    sponsor of the American Franchise Act. That bipartisan bill
    will be essential to bringing some certainty around joint
    employer standards.
        Franchising accounts for--60 percent of our industry is
    made up of franchised hotel owners. It allows for the path to
    entrepreneurship in the American Dream for so many in our
    industry, and passage of that will alleviate some of that
    uncertainty related to who can make decisions around, you know,
    employees.
        Mr. Carter of Georgia. Great.
        Mr. Karen, I want to ask you, as we all know, Georgia is
    home to some world-famous golf courses, including the Master's
    in Augusta. And today, as a matter of fact, the RSM Classic
    starts where I live, on St. Simons Island, at the Seaside
    Course. So we are very excited about that. In 2024, golf's
    impact on the State of Georgia delivered over $5.3 billion
    worth of economic impact.
        There is a lot of interest in year-round daylight savings
    time. In fact, the Georgia State Legislature passed a bill that
    would call for a permanent daylight savings time if Congress
    were to lift its prohibition on such a thing. It is called the
    Sunshine Protection Act.
        How big of a difference would it make to the golf industry
    if Congress enacted permanent daylight savings time compared to
    our current twice-a-year clock changes?
        Mr. Karen. Well, first, I must mention I played in the RSM
    Classic pro-am three times.
        Mr. Carter of Georgia. Is that right?
        Mr. Karen. And I enjoyed visiting your district to go do
    that. It is a great week. I wish I was there now.
        Mr. Carter of Georgia. I hope you spend a lot of money.
        Mr. Karen. It is hard not to, ``The Closer.''
        Mr. Carter of Georgia. Yes.
        Mr. Karen. You know, our research indicates that if we had
    permanent daylight saving time, we would have at least a 1
    percent uptick in economic activity in the golf industry. I
    mean, that is bare minimum. And I would--because that is not
    even counting private clubs. It is just public golf courses,
    and it is only green fees.
        So if you add all of the other components, I would estimate
    that that change alone would give a 2 to 5 percent increase in
    the economy overnight because of the expansion of the inventory
    and the availability of people to play golf. Tee sheets are
    full right now. So if you added inventory, they would fill up.
    So it would be enormous to the State of Georgia.
        Mr. Carter of Georgia. So tell me the downside. Why would
    people say it would have a negative effect?
        Mr. Karen. We have some in the industry who prefer the
    status quo and the changing of the clocks, because it slows
    down in the wintertime for them. Rounds are, you know, start
    going down. And they like giving their staff a break. It is a
    little bit of a reprieve to be able to go home at 4 o'clock.
        Mr. Carter of Georgia. Can I interject?
        Mr. Karen. Yes.
        Mr. Carter of Georgia. My middle son is a golf pro, and he
    is happy to see----
        Mr. Karen. There you go.
        Mr. Carter of Georgia [continuing]. Be able to get home a
    little earlier.
        Mr. Karen. Golf pros and superintendents don't--they are
    not as exuberant about this. I mean, they still favor it, but
    they are not as exuberant as the owners of the facilities that
    are looking to, obviously, maximize their business.
        Be no different than if a restaurant said, ``We are going
    to close now at 11 o'clock p.m. instead of 10 p.m.'' The staff
    would say, ``Oh, you know, does that mean I have got to work
    longer hours or different shifts and so forth''? So I
    understand that tension.
        And then there are very few golf courses that want
    permanent standard time. It is a single-digit percentage. And
    some of those are resorts, because they like the early play so
    that the golfers get into the dining room and eat dinner and
    spend their money on liquor and food.
        Mr. Carter of Georgia. They don't do that.
        Mr. Karen. Yes, they do, sir. And also, there are a lot of
    clubs that favor retirees that love to play early in the
    morning. So they don't want to mess with the clock.
        Mr. Carter of Georgia. Well, thank all of you. This is
    extremely important. And remember: Goalllll!
        Mr. Bilirakis. What happened to--I noticed you didn't
    mention the Georgia Bulldogs. I am OK with that, but I will
    give you some extra time if you want.
        I appreciate it. Thank you very much.
        So I think we are finished. No one on your side, no one on
    our side.
        So I am going to ask unanimous consent to the documents on
    the staff--that the documents on the staff document list be
    submitted for the record. Without objection, so ordered.
        And I remind Members that they have 10 business days to
    submit questions for the record, and I ask the witnesses to
    respond to the questions promptly. Members should submit their
    questions by the close of business day on December 5.
        So I just want to thank all the witnesses. This was a
    fascinating hearing. It really was. And we learned a lot.
        So, without objection, the subcommittee is adjourned.
        [Whereupon, at 12:24 p.m., the subcommittee was adjourned.]
        [Material submitted for inclusion in the record follows:]
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