House Passes Bill to Require Establishment of APEC Business Cards
On October 25, 2011, the House passed H.R. 2042, a bill to require the establishment of a program to issue APEC Business Travel Cards in order to help promote fast and efficient travel for security-screened business people and government officials within the APEC region. If the bill is enacted, the U.S. would join 18 other APEC countries that already have this travel card for business people traveling between APEC countries.
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(Although the House has passed H.R. 2042, it is not yet in effect. Generally, in order for a bill to be implemented, identical versions of that bill must be passed by both the House and Senate, and then the bill must be approved (enacted) by the President.)
Business Card to Speed Visa Processing and Air Travel
According to a press release from the bill’s sponsor, the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) is designed to facilitate commerce by promoting fast and efficient travel for eligible business people and government officials within the APEC region. The travel card will allow members to use designated travel lanes in airports and get expedited visa processing to help make overseas business travel more efficient.
Bill Would Authorize Imposition of Fee, Private Sector Issuance of Cards
According to a Congressional Research Service summary, H.R. 2042 would:
- Establish program - direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, by November 11, 2011, to establish the APEC Business Travel Program to issue ABTCs to eligible U.S. citizen business leaders and senior U.S. government officials actively engaged in APEC business.
- Require integration with existing programs - require the DHS Secretary to: (i) integrate application procedures for and issuance of ABTCs with other international registered traveler programs of DHS, such as Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI; and (ii) work in conjunction with private sector entities to ensure that applicants satisfy ABTC requirements.
- Authorize DHS to use private sector to enroll/issue ABTCs, impose issuance fee - authorize the DHS Secretary to: (i) utilize such entities to enroll and issue ABTCs, and (ii) impose and modify an ABTC issuance fee.