Florida travel agencies get a break on Cuban travel
Florida based travel agencies get a break as travel agencies specializing in trips to Cuba will no longer have to pay the increased fees and bonds, after a federal judge on Tuesday overturned a 2008 state law aimed at boosting regulation of the agencies.
U.S. District Court Judge Alan S. Gold’s decision comes a day after Obama administration announced lifting several travel restrictions to Cuba — allowing Cuban exiles to visit more than once a year, pushing for use of cellphones on the Island and easing requirements for remittances to relatives.
The 2008 Sellers of Travel Act approved by the state Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Charlie Crist was in question. The act required travel agencies in Florida selling trips to Cuba to post up to a $250,000 bond and pay up to $25,000 in registration fees. The fee is nearly 10 times the standard fee.
”I concluded that the Travel Act Amendments are designed and structured to end or seriously hamper federally licensed travel from Florida to Cuba and that such a law is more than just a state consumer protection decision, but also a political statement of condemnation of Cuba,” Gold wrote in his decision.
Florida travel agencies decried the 2008 law as unfair, especially because a provision in the act allowed the state to use their bond money to investigate their business dealings.
The measure was aimed at travel agencies selling trips to Cuba or any of the countries listed as terrorist nations by the U.S. State Department — including Sudan, Syria, North Korea and Iran.
Despite Gold’s decision, Rep. David Rivera, a Miami Republican who sponsored the law, said that he will push for an appeal. He is also considering reintroducing the measure during this legislative session. ”I’m considering every option at my disposal,” Rivera said. “Now more than ever it’s important to have strong consumer protection guidelines.
Travel agency owners are seeking reimbursement from the state for their attorney fees. ”As a taxpayer I am upset that our state legislators are focusing on issues that are not relevant,” said Ira Kurzban, an attorney representing the agencies. “We’re in the middle of economically hard times and the state is using money to defend legislation that is passed only for political motives.”
Source: Miami Herald
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