,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #gibj ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,july #ca1 #bjbj,ms4 ,titus introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,financial ,services1 and ,oversight and ,reform1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to provide grants and direct funding for promotion of tourism and healthy and safe travel practices in areas recovering from the ,coronavirus ,disease #bjai 7,,covid-#ai71 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,healthy and ,safe ,travel ,promotion ,act of #bjbj4 #b4 ,grants for promoting tourism and healthy travel ,title ,,ii of the ,public ,works and ,economic ,development ,act of #aife is amended by adding at the end the following3 #bai4 ,tourism and healthy travel promotion 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall provide grants to eligible entities to assist with economic recovery in communities affected by declines in travel and tourism as a result of the ,coronavirus ,disease #bjai 7,,covid-#ai74 7b7 ,eligible entities ,an entity eligible to receive grants under this section shall be an entity that is responsible for marketing1 selling1 or promoting visitation to a community1 region1 or ,state1 including-- 7#a7 a ,state tourism office2 7#b7 a political subdivision or instrumentality of a ,state or local government2 7#c7 a ,tribal government2 and 7#d7 a nonprofit organization4 7c7 ,establishment ,not later than #cj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall establish a process under which the ,secretary may receive applications and make grants to eligible entities in accordance with this section4 7d7 ,application ,to be eligible to receive a grant under this section1 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary an application in such form1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7e7 ,selection ,the ,secretary shall select eligible entities to receive grants under this section based on factors to be determined by the ,secretary1 using the best available data1 including the decline in visitation and associated economic losses in a region as a result of ,,covid-#ai1 and the amount of real or forecast revenue lost by an eligible entity as a result of ,,covid-#ai4 7f7 ,use of funds ,an eligible entity shall use grant funds provided under this section to-- 7#a7 pay costs associated with tourism marketing and promotion activities necessary to assist with declines in visitation as a result of ,,covid-#ai2 7#b7 pay costs associated with providing information to visitors about the health and safety protections1 guidance or requirements of ,federal1 ,state or local governments and businesses to reduce the spread of ,,covid-#ai2 7#c7 pay the increased costs of sanitation or cleaning to provide for a safer environment at a convention center1 large event space1 or community attraction2 or 7#d7 pay the costs of salaries and expenses associated with the operations of the eligible entity with respect to activities described in subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 and 7,c74 7g7 ,waiver 7#a7 ,long-term planning ,sections #bji7;b77#b7 and #bjd shall not apply for purposes of providing grants under this section4 7#b7 ,waiver authority ,the ,secretary may waive1 or specify alternative requirements for1 any provision of any statute or regulation that the ,secretary administers in connection with a grant under this section if the ,secretary determines that any such waivers or alternative requirements are necessary to expedite or facilitate the use of the amounts made available under this section4 7h7 ,federal share ,notwithstanding section #bjd1 the ,federal share of the cost of an activity carried out with a grant under this section shall be #ajj percent4 7i7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary for fiscal year #bjba to carry out this section #e1jjj1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended4 4 #c4 ,direct funding promoting tourism and healthy travel ,section #fja of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hja7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7d71 by striking ,a ,state1 ,tribal government1 and unit of local government and inserting ,subject to subsection 7h71 a ,state1 ,tribal government1 and unit of local government2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7h7 ,eligibility ,a ,state1 ,tribal government1 and unit of local government may use funds provided under a payment made under this section to cover expenditures of the recipient that-- 7#a7 are made to assist with the economic recovery of an area impacted by a decline in travel and tourism as a result of ,,covid-#ai2 7#b7 are associated with marketing or promoting travel or tourism to the recipient's area1 including costs associated with-- 7,a7 educating visitors about local tourism opportunities and health and safety guidelines2 7,b7 marketing tourism opportunities1 convention facilities1 and group meeting space that are made available in accordance with applicable ,state1 local1 or ,tribal government requirements2 or 7,c7 provide information to visitors or potential visitors regarding the health and safety practices of regional businesses or attractions to protect public health2 and 7#c7 were incurred during the period that begins on the date of enactment of the ,healthy and ,safe ,travel ,promotion ,act of #bjbj and ends on ,december #ca1 #bjba4 4 #d4 ,economic development assistance programs use of funds ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 for purposes of funds provided under the heading ,economic ,development ,administration--,economic ,development ,assistance ,programs under title ,,ii of division ,b of the ,,cares ,act 7,public ,law #aaf-acf71 tourism and marketing promotion activities 7including educating visitors about local tourism opportunities and health and safety guidelines1 marketing tourism opportunities1 convention facilities1 and group meeting space that are made available in accordance with applicable ,state or local government requirements1 and providing information to visitors or potential visitors regarding the health and safety practices of regional businesses or attractions to protect public health7 shall be considered an eligible use of such funds4