Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026
Kimberlyn King-Hinds (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗
- What it does
- The bill would add India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Mongolia to the list of countries whose nationals may enter Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands without a visa for tourism, subject to suspension of a country's participation if the Homeland Security Secretary finds specific problems such as an unacceptable rate of unlawful presence, unlawful entry into other parts of the United States, or a high number of asylum applications. It would also make it harder to suspend a country from that visa waiver program by requiring written findings, consultation with federal and local officials, consideration of alternatives like bonding or stay limits, an economic impact assessment, and 60 days notice to Congress, with only a narrow emergency exception for imminent national security or public safety threats under which any suspension expires after 60 days unless the full requirements are completed. This bill expands visa-waiver eligibility to visitors from six countries, indirectly benefiting CNMI casinos and gaming operators by increasing the pool of potential wagering customers.
- Where it stands
- HR10341, the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on September 10, 2026 and sits at the earliest committee stage, with no hearing or markup yet noticed. Within committee, the Judiciary chair decides whether a hearing or markup is ever noticed, though committee action is the ordinary route rather than an absolute prerequisite, since leadership, suspension, a special rule, or discharge could provide another path.
