H.R. 3232 would establish a non-profit corporation to communicate United States entry policies and otherwise promote tourist, business, and scholarly travel to the United States.
Detailed Summary
Travel Promotion Act of 2008 - Establishes the Corporation for Travel Promotion as a nonprofit corporation that is not an agency or establishment of the U.S. government. Makes the Corporation subject to the provisions of the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act.
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Corporation shall not engage in any lobbying activities with any employee or branch of the federal government.
Requires the Corporation, among other things, to provide information to people interested in traveling to the United States, identify and address perceptions in other countries regarding U.S. entry policies, and promote U.S. travel.
Requires annual reports from the Corporation to the Secretaries of Commerce and Homeland Security, for transmittal to Congress.
Establishes in the Treasury the Travel Promotion Fund. Sets forth funding and matching funds provisions.
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to collect a user fee of at least $10 from each alien utilizing the electronic travel authorization system for alien travel to the United States, to be used to offset appropriations made to the Corporation.
Prohibits amounts raised by the Fund or the Corporation from being used to directly promote or advertise a specific corporation.
Amends the International Travel Act of 1961 to replace references to the United States National Tourism Organization with references to the Corporation. Modifies various requirements applicable to the Tourism Policy Council, including membership, meetings, and the provision of tourism information.
Amends the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003 to remove provisions establishing the United States Travel and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board.
Directs the Government Accountability Office to: (1) initiate a study to assess barriers to entry into the United States by foreign travelers; and (2) report study findings to the appropriate congressional committees.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 10/2/2008: Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1113.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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