[House Report 119-69]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
>
119th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 119-69
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AMERICAN MUSIC TOURISM ACT OF 2025
_______
April 24, 2025.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Guthrie, from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 617]
The Committee on Energy and Commerce, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 617) to amend the Visit America Act to promote
music tourism, and for other purposes, having considered the
same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and
recommends that the bill do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 1
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 2
Committee Action................................................. 3
Committee Votes.................................................. 3
Oversight Findings and Recommendations........................... 5
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 5
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 5
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 5
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 5
Duplication of Federal Programs.................................. 5
Related Committee and Subcommittee Hearings...................... 5
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 5
Earmark, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits....... 6
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 6
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 6
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 6
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 6
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 617, the American Music Tourism Act of 2025, was
introduced by Representative Harshbarger on January 22, 2025,
and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 617
directs the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) of the
Department of Commerce to promote tourism to music-related and
sports attractions. The bill requires the NTTO to promote
domestic and international travel and tourism to U.S. music
festivals, concert venues, and other music-related attractions
and locations. The bill also expands NTTO's current mandate to
facilitate sports and recreation events and activities to
include the promotion of international travel and tourism to
such activities in the United States. NTTO must report its
activities and findings to Congress within one year after the
bill's enactment and, thereafter, every two years.
Background and Need for Legislation
Music and sporting events are defining elements of American
identity, culture, and economy. The U.S. is home to a rich
musical history with genres such as blues, country, jazz, hip-
hop, and rock. H.R. 617, the American Music Tourism Act, builds
on this legacy by directing the National Travel and Tourism
Office (NTTO) to promote domestic and international travel and
tourism to U.S. venues aiming to expand music's already
significant role in the economy.
Music tourism contributes billions to local and national
economies. In Nashville, Tennessee--nicknamed ``Music City''--
the music industry contributes more than $15.6 billion annually
to the Nashville area economy and supports more than 80,757
jobs in the region.\1\ Large music events such as the Bonnaroo
Music and Arts Festival brought an estimated $339.8 million in
economic activity to the region and generated over $5 million
in local tax revenue.\2\ On the national level, the music
industry contributes $212 billion to the U.S. GDP and supports
more than 2.5 million jobs.\3\ Globally, music tourism is
expected to reach $13.8 billion by 2032.\4\
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\1\See Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Music Study for Metro
Planning, (June 11, 2020), https://s3.amazonaws.com/
nashvillechamber.com/PDFs/Music+Study+for+Metro+Planning+-+June+11.pdf.
\2\See Adam Tamburin, Bonnaroo's Economic Impact Highlighted in New
Study, Axios Nashville, (Jan. 9, 2024), https://www.axios.com/local/
nashville/2024/01/09/study-bonnaroo-economic-impact.
\3\See RIAA, The U.S. Music Industries: Jobs & Benefits 2024--
Economists Incorporated, Recording Industry Ass'n of Am. (2024),
https://www.riaa.com/reports/the-u-s-music-industries-jobs-benefits-
2024-economists-incorporated/.
\4\See The Rise of Music Tourism, Travel Alliance Partnership,
https://travelalliancepartnership.com/the-rise-of-music-tourism/ (last
visited Apr. 11, 2025).
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The COVID-19 pandemic dealt significant blows to the music
and live entertainment industries. Thousands of concerts and
festivals were canceled or postponed resulting in losses of
over $30 billion globally, with the U.S. bearing a substantial
portion of that impact.\5\ Live music venues, especially
independent and small community spaces, faced closures, and
tourism in music-centric cities plummeted.
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\5\See AP News, Post-Pandemic Boom for Touring Artists Like Elton
John, Celine Dion, Associated Press (Apr. 17, 2023), https://
apnews.com/article/elton-john-celine-dion-coronavirus-pandemic-
b63179e05d0768dcd907da5beeccad52.
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H.R. 617 addresses the long-term impacts of the pandemic by
requiring the NTTO to develop and implement a strategy for
promoting U.S. music attractions, while also reporting to
Congress on its efforts. The bill creates a framework for
maximizing the visibility and economic value of American music
tourism on the global stage.
Committee Action
On June 26, 2024, the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and
Commerce held a hearing titled, ``The Fiscal Year 2025
Department of Commerce Budget.'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from:
Gina Raimondo, Secretary, Department of
Commerce.
On April 8, 2025, the full Committee on Energy and Commerce
met in open markup session and ordered H.R. 617, without
amendment, favorably reported to the House by a vote of 52 yeas
and 1 nay.
Committee Votes
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII requires the Committee to list the
record votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments
thereto. The following reflects the record votes taken during
the Committee consideration:
Oversight Findings and Recommendations
Pursuant to clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII, the Committee held a hearing and made findings that
are reflected in this report.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority,
and Tax Expenditures
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII, the Committee
finds that H.R. 617 would result in no new or increased budget
authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or
revenues.
Congressional Budget Office Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII, at the time this
report was filed, the cost estimate prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was not available.
Federal Mandates Statement
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general
performance goal or objective of this legislation is to promote
tourism to music-related and sports attractions in America.
Duplication of Federal Programs
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII, no provision of
H.R. 617 is known to be duplicative of another Federal program,
including any program that was included in a report to Congress
pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139 or the most recent
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.
Related Committee and Subcommittee Hearings
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(6) of rule XIII, the following
hearing was used to develop or consider H.R. 617:
On June 26, 2024, the Subcommittee on
Innovation, Data, and Commerce held a hearing titled
``The Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Commerce Budget.''
The Subcommittee received testimony from:
Gina Raimondo, Secretary,
Department of Commerce.
Committee Cost Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII, the Committee
adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974. At the time this report was
filed, the estimate was not available.
Earmark, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits
Pursuant to clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the
Committee finds that H.R. 617 contains no earmarks, limited tax
benefits, or limited tariff benefits.
Advisory Committee Statement
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this
legislation.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation
Section 1. Short title
This section provides that this Act may be cited as the
``American Music and Tourism Act of 2024.''
Section 2. Responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Travel and Tourism
Section 2 amends the Visit America Act (15 U.S.C. 9803(b))
to identify locations and events in the United States that are
important to music tourism and to promote domestic travel and
tourism to those locations; to increase and facilitate
international business and leisure travel to the United States;
and to require a report to Congress of activities, findings,
achievements, and vulnerabilities relating to the goals
described in subsections (a) through (d) of this Act.
Section 2 also amends Section 600 of the title VI of
division BB of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (15
U.S.C. 9801) to add a definition of ``music tourism, which is
defined as the act of traveling to a State or locality to visit
historic or modern day music-related attractions, including
museums, studios, venues of all sizes, and other sites related
to music, or the act of traveling to a State or locality to
attend a music festival, a concert, or other live musical
performance or music-related special event.''
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023
* * * * * * *
DIVISION BB--CONSUMER PROTECTION AND COMMERCE
* * * * * * *
TITLE VI--TRAVEL AND TOURISM
SEC. 600. DEFINED TERM.
[In this title, the term ``COVID-19 public health
emergency''--] In this title:
(1) COVID-19 public health emergency.--The term
``COVID-19 public health emergency''--
[(1)] (A) means the public health emergency
first declared on January 31, 2020, by the
Secretary of Health and Human Services under
section 319 of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 247d) with respect to COVID-19; and
[(2)] (B) includes any renewal of such
declaration pursuant to such section 319.
(2) Music tourism.--The term ``music tourism''
means--
(A) the act of traveling to a State or
locality to visit historic or modern day music-
related attractions, including museums,
studios, venues of all sizes, and other sites
related to music; or
(B) the act of traveling to a State or
locality to attend a music festival, a concert,
or other live musical performance or music-
related special event.
Subtitle A--Travel Promotion
SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE.
This subtitle may be cited as the ``Visit America Act''.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 605. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR
TRAVEL AND TOURISM.
(a) Visitation Goals.--The Assistant Secretary of Commerce
for Travel and Tourism (referred to in this section as the
``Assistant Secretary'') shall--
(1) after consultation with the travel and tourism
industry, work with the Travel Promotion Committee and
the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board to
establish an annual goal, consistent with the goals of
the travel and tourism strategy developed pursuant to
section 606(1), for--
(A) the number of international visitors to
the United States; and
(B) the value of travel and tourism commerce;
(2) develop recommendations for achieving the annual
goals established pursuant to paragraph (1);
(3) ensure that travel and tourism policy is
developed in consultation with--
(A) the Tourism Policy Council;
(B) the Secretary of State;
(C) the Secretary of Homeland Security;
(D) the Corporation for Travel Promotion;
(E) the United States Travel and Tourism
Advisory Board; and
(F) travel and tourism industry
representatives, including public and private
destination marketing organizations, travel and
tourism suppliers, gig economy representatives,
and labor representatives from these
industries;
(4) establish short, medium, and long-term timelines
for implementing the recommendations developed pursuant
to paragraph (2);
(5) conduct Federal agency needs assessments, in
consultation with the Office of Management and Budget
and other relevant Federal agencies, to identify the
resources, statutory or regulatory changes, and private
sector engagement needed to achieve the annual
visitation goals; and
(6) provide assessments and recommendations to--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of
the House of Representatives; and
(C) the public through a publicly accessible
website.
(b) Domestic Travel and Tourism.--The Assistant Secretary, to
the extent feasible, shall--
(1) evaluate, on an ongoing basis, domestic policy
options for supporting competitiveness with respect to
the strengths, weaknesses, and growth of the domestic
travel industry;
(2) develop recommendations and goals to support and
enhance domestic tourism, separated by business and
leisure[; and];
(3) engage public and private stakeholders to support
domestic tourism[.]; and
(4) identify locations and events in the United
States that are important to music tourism and
facilitate and promote domestic travel and tourism to
those locations and events.
(c) Workforce.--The Assistant Secretary shall--
(1) consult with the Secretary of Labor to develop
strategies and best practices for improving the
timeliness and reliability of travel and tourism
workforce data;
(2) work with the Secretary of Labor and the Bureau
of Economic Analysis to improve travel and tourism
industry data;
(3) provide recommendations for policy enhancements
and efficiencies; and
(4) provide policy recommendations regarding the gig
economy as it relates to travel and tourism.
[(d) Facilitation of International Business Travel.--The
Assistant Secretary, in coordination with relevant Federal
agencies, shall strive to increase and facilitate international
business travel to the United States and ensure competitiveness
by--
[(1) facilitating large meetings, incentives,
conferences, and exhibitions in the United States;
[(2) emphasizing rural and other destinations in the
United States that are rich in cultural heritage or
ecological tourism, among other uniquely American
destinations, as locations for hosting international
meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions; and
[(3) facilitating sports and recreation events and
activities in the United States.]
(d) Facilitation of International Business and Leisure
Travel.--The Assistant Secretary, in coordination with relevant
Federal agencies, shall strive to increase and facilitate
international business and leisure travel to the United States
and ensure competitiveness by--
(1) facilitating large meetings, incentives,
conferences, and exhibitions in the United States;
(2) emphasizing rural and other destinations in the
United States that are rich in cultural heritage or
ecological tourism, among other uniquely American
destinations, as locations for hosting international
meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions;
(3) facilitating and promoting international travel
and tourism to sports and recreation events and
activities in the United States; and
(4) identifying locations and events in the United
States that are important to music tourism and
facilitating and promoting international travel and
tourism to those locations and events.
(e) Recovery Strategies.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after amounts
are appropriated to the Department of Commerce to
accomplish the purposes of this section, the Assistant
Secretary, in consultation with the entities referred
to in subsection (a)(3), shall develop recovery
strategies for the travel and tourism industry in
response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19
pandemic and in anticipation of other unpredictable
catastrophic events that would significantly affect the
travel and tourism industry, such as hurricanes,
floods, tsunamis, tornadoes, wildfires, terrorist
attacks, and pandemics.
(2) Cost-benefit analysis.--In developing the
recovery strategies under paragraph (1), the Assistant
Secretary shall conduct cost-benefit analyses that take
into account the health and economic effects of public
health mitigation measures on the travel and tourism
industry.
(f) Reporting Requirements.--
(1) Assistant secretary.--The Assistant Secretary,
subject to the availability of appropriations, shall
produce an annual forecasting report on the travel and
tourism industry, which shall include current and
anticipated--
(A) domestic employment needs;
(B) international inbound volume and
spending, taking into account the lasting
effects of the COVID-19 public health emergency
and the impact of the recovery strategy
implemented pursuant to subsection (e)(1); and
(C) domestic volume and spending, including
Federal and State public land travel and
tourism data.
(2) Bureau of economic analysis.--The Director of the
Bureau of Economic Analysis, subject to the
availability of appropriations and to the extent
feasible, should make quarterly updates to the Travel
and Tourism Satellite Accounts, including--
(A) State-level travel and tourism spending
data;
(B) travel and tourism workforce data for
full-time and part-time employment; and
(C) Federal and State public lands outdoor
recreational activity and tourism spending
data.
(3) National travel and tourism office.--The Director
of the National Travel and Tourism Office--
(A) in partnership with the Bureau of
Economic Analysis and other relevant Federal
agencies, shall provide a monthly report on
international arrival and spending data to--
(i) the Travel and Tourism Advisory
Board; and
(ii) the public through a publicly
accessible website; and
(B) shall include questions in the Survey of
International Air Travelers regarding wait-
times, visits to public lands, and State data,
to the extent applicable.
(4) Report on goals relating to domestic and
international travel.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of the American Music Tourism Act of
2025, and every 2 years thereafter, the Assistant
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives a report of activities, findings,
achievements, and vulnerabilities relating to the goals
described in subsections (a) through (d).
* * * * * * *