S. 195: American Music Tourism Act of 2025
Sponsor
Marsha Blackburn
Republican · TN
Music towns want a bigger piece of tourism money
Why it matters
The bill gives music museums, studios, venues, festivals, and rural music destinations a direct place in federal tourism promotion. If S. 195 passes, Commerce would have to market those trips at home and abroad and report back within 1 year.
S. 195 would make music destinations and events an official part of federal tourism marketing.
That means the Commerce Department's travel office would have to identify places that matter to music tourism — from museums and recording studios to concert venues and festivals — and help promote travel to them inside the United States.
The bill also extends that push overseas. Commerce would coordinate with other federal agencies to promote international travel to U.S. music destinations and events, while continuing to spotlight rural communities and places known for cultural heritage.
The bill covers both sides of music travel: places you visit because of music history, and trips you take to see live music now. It formally defines music tourism to include historic and modern-day attractions, plus festivals, concerts, other live performances, and music-related special events.
There is also an oversight clock. Commerce would owe Congress a first report within 1 year after enactment, then another every 2 years, explaining its activities, findings, achievements, and vulnerabilities.
What S. 195 does not do is provide new money in the bill text. So the practical effect may depend on how much the Commerce Department can do with existing staff and whatever funding Congress provides later.
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Sep 29, 2026
Presented to President.
S. 195 Bill Summary
What S. 195 actually does.
Music trips become a federal tourism priority
Commerce would have to identify U.S. locations and events important to music tourism and promote domestic travel to them.
International visitors get marketed U.S. music destinations
The bill directs Commerce, working with other federal agencies, to promote international travel to American music sites and events.
Rural music destinations get a clearer opening
Federal tourism efforts would continue to emphasize rural destinations and places known for cultural heritage, which could help smaller music communities compete for attention.
Concerts and music landmarks both count
The bill defines music tourism to include travel for historic or modern music attractions as well as travel for festivals, concerts, live performances, and music-related events.
Congress gets updates on what Commerce actually does
Commerce would have to send Congress a first report within 1 year after enactment and follow-up reports every 2 years after that.
Who benefits from S. 195?
Music towns and local venues
Places built around music history or live performance — from small venues to recording studios and museums — could get federal help attracting more visitors.
Rural communities with music heritage
Smaller destinations tied to American music traditions could get more visibility because the bill keeps rural and culturally rich places in the federal tourism push.
Festival, concert, and event organizers
Because the bill explicitly includes festivals, concerts, and other live performances, organizers could benefit if Commerce chooses to spotlight their events.
Travelers planning music-centered trips
If the program is used aggressively, you could see more organized federal promotion of music trails, venues, festivals, and destination guides.
Who is affected by S. 195?
Commerce's travel and tourism office
The office would take on new required work: identifying music destinations, promoting them domestically and internationally, coordinating with other agencies, and filing recurring reports.
Other federal agencies involved in tourism promotion
The bill says Commerce should coordinate with relevant federal agencies on international travel promotion, so the work would not stay inside one office.
Congressional oversight committees
The Senate Commerce Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee would receive a new report within 1 year after enactment and every 2 years after that.
Non-music tourism priorities competing for attention
Because the bill adds music-specific duties without naming new funding, some tourism promotion resources may have to be shared more broadly unless Congress appropriates more money.
What Congress Is Saying
S. 195 has come up 12 times in the Congressional Record so far.
S. 195 also appeared in 1 more Senate floor reference and 3 routine cosponsor filings.
S195 Legislative Journey
Action Taken
Sep 29, 2026
Presented to President.
House: Vote: 5666-5667
Sep 15, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5666-5667)
House: Action Taken
May 15, 2025
Held at the desk.
Passed
May 14, 2025
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2933; text: CR S2933)
+1 more action this day
Committee Action
Mar 14, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-4.
Passed Committee
Feb 5, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Committee Action
Jan 22, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
About the Sponsor
Marsha Blackburn
Republican, TN · 23 years in Congress
Committees: Joint Economic Committee, Veterans' Affairs, Commerce, Science, and Transportation
View full profile →
Cosponsors (5)
This bill has 5 cosponsors: 3 Democrats, 2 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 5 states: Colorado, Michigan, North Carolina, and 2 more.
Committee Sponsors
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
4 of 28 committee members cosponsored
14 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does S. 195 change?
2 changes
Sections Amended
Section 605 of Visit America Act (15 U.S.C. 9803)
striking subsection (d) and inserting the following: ``(d) Facilitation of International Business and Leisure Travel
Section 605(f) of Visit America Act (15 U.S.C. 9803(f))
adding at the end the following: ``(4) Report on goals relating to domestic and international travel
S. 195 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation
- Chamber
- Senate
- Policy
- Arts, Culture, Religion
- Introduced
- Jan 22, 2025
Presented to President.
Sep 29, 2026
Official Sources
Official bill page with text, status, sponsors, and legislative actions for the American Music Tourism Act of 2025.
Official Commerce office responsible for federal travel and tourism policy and promotion, relevant because the bill assigns new duties to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism.
Official U.S. Code page for section 605 of the Visit America Act, which S. 195 amends to add music tourism promotion and reporting requirements.
Official U.S. Code definitions section that S. 195 would amend to add a federal definition of music tourism.
Official Commerce Department bureau that houses travel and tourism functions implicated by the bill’s domestic and international promotion duties.
Official Senate committee site for one of the committees that would receive the required reports under S. 195.
Official House committee site for the other committee named in the bill to receive recurring Commerce reports.
S. 195 Common Questions
What would S. 195 actually do?
It would make music tourism part of the federal tourism mission, requiring Commerce to identify and promote U.S. music destinations and events for domestic and international travelers.
What counts as music tourism under S. 195?
The bill covers both music landmarks and live events: museums, studios, venues, and other music sites, plus festivals, concerts, and other live performances.
Would rural music destinations be included?
Yes. The bill says federal tourism efforts should emphasize rural destinations and places rich in cultural heritage, which could help smaller music communities get more attention.
Does S. 195 cover international visitors or just U.S. travelers?
Both. Commerce would promote travel to music destinations inside the U.S. and also work with other federal agencies to attract international visitors to those places and events.
Would this bill send money directly to venues or festivals?
Not from the bill text provided here. S. 195 creates promotion and reporting duties, but it does not name a specific funding amount or direct grant program.
How soon would Commerce have to report back to Congress?
The first report would be due within 1 year after enactment, and additional reports would follow every 2 years after that.
Who would get those reports?
They would go to the Senate Commerce Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Based on S. 195 bill text
S. 195 Bill Text
“To amend the Visit America Act to promote music tourism, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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