AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TRAVEL ADVISORS, INC. for AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TRAVEL ADVISORS INC

Transportation TRA

Cruise Industry Safety Issue - pending before House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee

Contacted: State, Dept of (DOS); SENATE; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Insurance INS

Contacted: State, Dept of (DOS); U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC); SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS)

Travel/Tourism TOU

Investigation on the U.S. Agricultural Sales to Cuba: Certain Economic Effects of U.S. Restrictions - Cuba travel ban.

Contacted: SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; State, Dept of (DOS); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

H.R. 2453 - prohibits future discriminatory car rental excise taxes Tax Gap Issue - closing tax loopholes of filers who are underreporting, underpaying and/or are non-filers. Independent Contractors issue as it pertains to the Tax Gap Issue. Preemption of tourism taxes.

Contacted: State, Dept of (DOS); U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC); SENATE; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 2453 (110th)

Aviation/Airlines/Airports AVI

H.R. 2881 - to amend title 49, U.S. Code, to authorize appropriations for FAA, to improve air safety and capacity, etc. Testified before House Aviation Subcommittee on Aviation Consumer Issues i.e., Passenger Rights S. 678 Airline Passenger Bill of Rights - assuring airline passengers have access to necessary services while aboard grounded aircraft and have the option to deplane. H.R. 1303 Airline Passenger Bill of Rights - establishes standards for airline passenger rights. S. 1300 to amend title 49, U.S. Code, to authorize appropriations for FAA, improve air safety and capacity, etc.

Contacted: Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC); SENATE; State, Dept of (DOS)

Bills named: S. 1300 (110th), H.R. 2881 (110th), H.R. 1303 (110th), S. 678 (110th)

Homeland Security HOM

Implementation of Phase I of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initative requiring U.S. citizens to have valid passports when entering or reentering the United States by air. S. 1348 Western Hemisphere Traveler Improvement Act - burden of border crossing residents and other Americans. H.R 1061 Protecting American Commerce and Travel Act - implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative H.R. 1684 Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act as it pertains to Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and Secure Flight.

Contacted: Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); State, Dept of (DOS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC); SENATE

Bills named: S. 1348 (110th), H.R. 1061 (110th), H.R. 1684 (110th)