Safety never takes a holiday.
ISSUES AND LEGISLATION
IAAPA closely monitors issues and legislation that impact the attractions industry. We have a full-time team of lobbyists who are in frequent contact with elected officials to represent the best interests of the industry. We strive to bring you the most up-to-date information on happenings in Washington, D.C. and across the country.
To take action on these or other issues, visit our Grassroots Action Center.
FEDERAL AMUSEMENT SAFETY LEGISLATION
There’s no evidence that Federal oversight would improve on the already outstanding safety record of the industry and it could cost taxpayers millions to try. According to a CPSC spokesperson, the agency would have to double in size to be able to properly regulate fixed-site amusement rides. It makes no sense to dedicate over-stretched federal dollars to what is already a thorough and capable regulatory process.
The seasonal worker shortage is constant and the amusement parks and attraction industry can not afford to be understaffed during the short, peak season. The H-2B visa worker system is effective, is critical to seasonal employers, and rewards foreign workers who obey the law and return to their country when their short-term visas expire.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION
Intellectual property infringement threatens our economic security by depriving American workers of jobs, stealing revenue from our businesses and governments, and undermining our nation’s competitive advantage – innovation and creativity. Potentially dangerous and defective counterfeit products could also harm the health and safety of consumers. Counterfeiting and piracy are increasingly problematic for our industry as counterfeiters proliferate around the world at an unprecedented growth rate and produce higher quality counterfeited product.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL PROMOTION
Since 9/11, overseas travel to the United States has declined by 17 percent, resulting in billions in lost revenue and thousands of lost jobs. The Travel Promotion Act of 2007 would address America's overseas travel crisis by establishing an independent, non-profit corporation, the Corporation for Travel Promotion, to operate a nationally coordinated, public-private campaign of up to $200 million annually to better communicate America's travel policies, communicate improvements to America's travel procedures, and invite travelers to visit the United States.
When a business owner dies, the value of the company is added to the owner’s estate and is taxed after exemptions. The individuals who inherit the family-owned business are forced to pay up to 55 percent in taxes on all assets received, including land, buildings, equipment and all other forms of property. Almost one-third of all small business owners today will be forced to sell outright, or liquidate a significant portion of their company to pay for this unfair tax. The estate tax, also known as the “death tax” places a significant burden on future generations of family business owners, their employees, customers and suppliers.
The Visa Waiver Program was created by Congress in 1986 and welcomed its first two countries (UK and Japan) two years later. This critical program permits business and leisure travelers from 27 countries to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without the expense and wait of obtaining a non-immigrant visitor visa. The program is intended to facilitate and promote overseas travel to the U.S. while simultaneously allowing the State Department to shift visa screening resources to higher risk countries.