Government Relations Report Ron Steeves First Vice-President As we go to press, H.R. 3513, the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act, which was introduced by Congressional Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) and Ted Deutch (D-FL-22), has 21 co-sponsors in the United States House of Representatives. It has been referred to both the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Ways andMeans. The bill was referred to the Ways and Means Committee in the House of Representatives because it contains a provision which amends the Internal Revenue Code. This particular section of the bill ensures that Canadian retirees who choose to travel to the United States for more than six months will be treated as non-residents for tax purposes, meaning that they will not be taxed in both jurisdictions. CSA representatives have beenmeeting with Congressional members and their staff in both committees in an effort to have the bill called for hearings and voted on. Not only is Congressman Deutch from Florida, he is also a member of the Judiciary Committee and is actively championing the bill, so that is a positive development. In addition to Congressman Deutch, Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL-1) ‒ who is also a member of the Judiciary Committee ‒ has signed on as a co-sponsor of our bill. Further, the list of co-sponsors for H.R. 3513 also features two members of theWays andMeans Committee, Representatives Brian Higgins (D-NY-26) and Carlos Curbelo (R-FL-26). We have meetings with other committee members scheduled as I write this. Increasing the number of co-sponsors who also sit on these two committees is a crucial step in advancing theCanadian Snowbird Visa Act through the committee process. Another bill that we have been closely monitoring on the Canadian side of the border is Bill-21, An Act to amend the Customs Act. Most recently, on September 27, 2017, Bill C-21 passed second reading in the House of Commons. As we have mentioned in past issues of CSANews, passage of Bill C-21 is necessary for full implementation of the entry/exit initiative – the cross-border information-sharing program between Canada and the United States. Once fully implemented, when a Canadian citizen enters the United States at a land port of entry, Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) will receive a record of the departure from Canada. Similarly, when a Canadian citizen returns to Canada from the United States via a land port of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will receive a record of the departure from the U.S. For the vast majority of snowbirds who adhere to the limits imposed by U.S. immigration and tax law, this initiative will not impact their annual trips down south. We will continue to update members on the progress of this bill as it makes its way through the legislative process. With an increasing number of U.S. states legalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes, we have received a growing number of inquiries from CSA members who hold prescriptions for medical marijuana in Canada. While 29 U.S. states and Canada have legalized medical marijuana, it is important to remember that the sale, possession, production and distribution of marijuana all remain illegal under U.S. federal law. Accordingly, entering the United States with medical marijuana, even if prescribed by a licensed Canadian physician, is strictly prohibited and could potentially result in fines, apprehension, or both. This may also render you inadmissible for re-entry into the United States. TheCSA Travel Information Guide, which is distributed in hard copy to every association member, contains a detailed list of items which are prohibited or restricted from entry into the United States. A PDF version of the CSA Travel Information Guide is also available on our website, www.snowbirds.org, in the publications section. On November 1, 2017, Florida Governor Rick Scott travelled to Toronto to announce a new discount program to lure Canadian visitors back to Florida. The Canadian Power Play Program makes it more affordable for Canadian travellers to visit the state through travel deals fromVisit Florida partners offering 20 per cent discounts at some Florida hotels, attractions and car rental agencies. Visit Florida markets the state’s tourism industry. Canada remains Florida’s number-one international market, with 4.3 million Canadians travelling to Florida in 2016. Canadians account for approximately one-quarter of Florida’s international visitors and spent US$5.1 billion. To find out more about this discount program, visit www.LoveFlorida.ca. CSANews | WINTER 2017 | 13
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