Technical corrections only. The two versions of H.R. 617 are substantively identical, with v4 reflecting the bill's procedural advancement to the Senate calendar after passing the House. No policy changes were made between v3 and v4.
American Music Tourism Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]
- Committees
- Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Apr 29, 2025
Bottom line
The bill expands the federal government's role in promoting tourism by specifically targeting music-related travel and events, aiming to boost economic activity in this sector.
What it actually does
This bill, the American Music Tourism Act of 2025, amends the Visit America Act to explicitly include the promotion of music tourism as a responsibility of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism. It directs the Assistant Secretary to identify music-related locations and events and facilitate both domestic and international travel to them. Additionally, the bill mandates regular reports on these new goals and provides a clear definition for 'music tourism'.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that music tourism represents a significant, often untapped, economic opportunity for states and localities across the United States. By formally including music tourism in the Assistant Secretary's mandate, the bill will provide a dedicated focus and resources to attract visitors, support local economies, and celebrate America's rich musical heritage. They contend that this will create jobs, stimulate small businesses, and enhance the global perception of the U.S. as a cultural destination.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that expanding the federal government's role into niche tourism promotion, such as music tourism, represents an unnecessary expansion of bureaucracy and potential misallocation of taxpayer funds. They may contend that such promotional activities are best left to state and local tourism boards or private industry, which are more attuned to specific regional attractions and market demands. Concerns could also be raised about the potential for federal efforts to duplicate existing initiatives or to favor certain music genres or locations over others.
The bill is very short and clear, making it easy to read and understand within a few minutes, allowing ample time for informed evaluation.
Section 2(a)
Promoting Domestic Music Tourism
This section amends the Visit America Act to require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism to identify significant music tourism locations and events within the United States. It further mandates that the Assistant Secretary facilitate and promote domestic travel to these sites and activities. This expands the existing responsibilities of the office to specifically include the domestic music sector.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision will directly boost local economies by drawing more domestic travelers to music-related destinations, supporting small businesses, and preserving cultural heritage. They believe it leverages existing infrastructure for a specific, high-potential tourism segment.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that this is an overreach of federal power into areas traditionally handled by state and local tourism boards. They may contend that federal intervention could distort local markets or lead to inefficient allocation of resources compared to localized, grassroots efforts.
Tradeoffs
The tradeoff involves balancing federal support for a specific tourism niche against the principle of local control and market-driven promotion. There's also a tension between broad national promotion and ensuring equitable benefit across diverse musical genres and regions.
Section 2(b)
Facilitating International Music Tourism
This section revises the responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary concerning international travel. It explicitly adds the task of identifying and promoting U.S. locations and events important to music tourism to international visitors. This is part of a broader mandate to increase and facilitate international business and leisure travel, alongside promoting large conferences, rural destinations, and sports events.
Section 2(c)
Mandatory Biennial Reports on Music Tourism Goals
This section adds a new reporting requirement to the Visit America Act. It mandates that the Assistant Secretary submit a report to relevant Congressional committees every two years, starting one year after the bill's enactment. This report must detail the activities, findings, achievements, and vulnerabilities related to the goals of promoting both domestic and international travel, now explicitly including music tourism.
Section 2(d)
Defining 'Music Tourism'
This section formally defines 'music tourism' within the relevant statute. It specifies that music tourism includes traveling to a state or locality to visit historic or modern music-related attractions such as museums, studios, and venues, or to attend music festivals, concerts, or other live musical performances and special events. This clear definition provides a legal framework for the Assistant Secretary's new responsibilities.
This section formally defines 'music tourism' as travel to visit historic or modern music-related attractions (museums, studios, venues) or to attend music festivals, concerts, or other live musical performances or special events.
Section 2(d)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to place definitions in a dedicated section to ensure clarity and consistency throughout the act.
Case for: A clear definition ensures that the Assistant Secretary's efforts are focused on the intended scope of music-related travel, preventing ambiguity and ensuring resources are directed effectively.
Case against: Critics might argue that the definition, while seemingly comprehensive, could inadvertently limit the scope of future promotional activities if new forms of music tourism emerge that don't fit neatly into these categories, potentially requiring future amendments.
Estimated impact: Provides the foundational scope for all new federal music tourism promotion efforts, influencing where and how resources are allocated.