S. 3183 — Introduced in Senate

II 115th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3183 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 9, 2018 Ms. Klobuchar introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To require large ticket agents to adopt minimum customer service standards for the purchase of air fares and related passenger air transportation services. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Air Travel Ticketing Transparency and Protection Act. 2. Consumer protection requirements relating to large ticket agents (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a final rule to enable and require large ticket agents to adopt minimum customer service standards. (b) Purpose The purpose of the final rule shall be for air carriers and large ticket agents to ensure that, to the extent practicable, there is a consistent level of consumer protection regardless of where consumers purchase air fares and related passenger air transportation services. (c) Standards In issuing the final rule, the Secretary shall endeavor to establish standards consistent with all customer service and disclosure requirements applicable to air carriers under title 49, United States Code, and associated regulations in connection with the purchase of air fares and related passenger air transportation services. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Air carrier The term air carrier means an air carrier or foreign air carrier, as those terms are defined in section 40102(a) of title 49, United States Code. (2) Consumer The term consumer means a person who purchases or considers the purchase of passenger air transportation services. (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation. (4) Ticket agent (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), the term ticket agent has the meaning given that term in section 40102(a) of title 49, United States Code. (B) Inclusion The term ticket agent includes a person who acts as an intermediary involved in the sale of passenger air transportation directly or indirectly to consumers, including by operating an electronic airline information system, if the person— (i) holds the person out as a source of information about, or reservations for, the passenger air transportation industry; and (ii) receives compensation in any way related to the sale of passenger air transportation. (5) Large ticket agent The term large ticket agent means a ticket agent with annual revenues of $100,000,000 or more.