A federal plan to put festivals, venues and other music landmarks on travelers’ itineraries now awaits signature from the President.Last week, the House passed the American Music Tourism Act by formally adopting S.
195, the Senate version of the bipartisan bill.The Senate approved that version by unanimous consent in May 2025.
Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee led the Senate bill while Tennessee Rep.Diana Harshbarger led the House’s effort alongside California Representative Nanette Barragán.
The legislation directs the Commerce Department’s top tourism official to identify the country’s most important music destinations and promote travel to them, both domestically and abroad.It defines those broadly as a combination of festivals, concerts, venues of all sizes, studios, museums and more, according to Digital Music News.
One year after the bill becomes law, the assistant secretary must report on the effort’s progress and shortfalls.The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), which has championed the bill, hailed the vote, along with its Executive Director Stephen Parker who argued that traveling fans pour money into the hotels, restaurants, and shops surrounding independent venues and festivals.
For electronic dance music, a genre whose biggest events routinely draw fans from out of state and abroad, the bill’s explicit festival language is notable.Harshbarger’s office said the plan would not require additional taxpayer funding....