July 19, 2026 to July 25, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning hotels, restaurants, casinos, gaming operations, event and sports venues, cruise lines, theme parks, ski resorts, outdoor spaces, RV and caravan parks, and all hospitality, travel and tourism professionals. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track GR news in adjacent industries related? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Arts & Culture. Also consider subscribing to our Hospitality & Retail - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Energy and Natural Resources—Open Business Meeting: Scheduled for July 29, 2026, in Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 366, the Senate committee will review bills related to wilderness designations, recreation management, and historic site establishment across Colorado, Maryland, Oregon, Nevada, and additional states.

Federal Government News

IMPOSING ADDITIONAL DUTIES TO OFFSET CANADIAN DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES WITH RESPECT TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation on July 20, 2026, imposing a 50% ad valorem duty on specified Canadian alcoholic beverage imports, effective August 19, 2026, under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The move responds to provincial and territorial restrictions in Canada against U.S. alcohol since March 2025, resulting in an 81% drop in U.S. exports over the following year and increased imports from other countries. The proclamation aims to counteract these measures, support U.S. producers, and encourage Canada to revoke discriminatory practices. Customs and Border Protection is responsible for implementation, and exemptions are outlined for certain categories. The proclamation allows for future modification or revocation linked to public interest.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

RESTORING TRUST IN THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

On July 24, 2026, President Trump issued an executive order to reinforce the Smithsonian Institution’s focus on presenting American history as national heritage. The directive follows Executive Order 14253 and the Domestic Policy Council’s report 'Saving America’s Story,' which criticizes the Smithsonian’s approach. The Secretary of the Interior and the Office of Management and Budget are directed to ensure compliance, placing temporary signage and new exhibits to correct historical inaccuracies, notably regarding the Declaration of Independence signers during the 250th anniversary celebrations. Implementation is subject to legal and funding constraints.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Rescinding Portions of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Title VI Regulations To Align With the Statutory Text and Conform to Executive Order 14281

The Department of Health and Human Services issued a final rule on July 24, 2026, amending Title VI regulations to remove provisions imposing disparate-impact liability from 45 CFR Part 80. The regulatory changes conform HHS policy to Executive Order 14281 and Supreme Court precedent (Alexander v. Sandoval), limiting Title VI enforcement to intentional discrimination. The rule modifies or reserves several regulatory sections relating to effects-based standards and affirmative action, with the aim of reducing statutory and constitutional ambiguity. The action also aligns HHS enforcement with other federal agencies and eliminates effects-based compliance obligations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Request for Fee Waiver

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the Department of Homeland Security, through a Federal Register notice on July 24, 2026, announced an extension without changes for its Request for Fee Waiver information collection under OMB Control Number 1615-0116. The collection affects individuals and households requesting immigration benefit fee waivers using Form I-912 and related instruments. Annual respondent volumes and time burdens remain as previously approved, with an estimated 653,435 hours expended across 602,528 respondents and an annual cost burden of $2,009,461. The notice solicits public comment until August 24, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for Comment; 49 CFR Part 575-Consumer Information Regulations (Sections 103 and 105)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published a Federal Register notice on July 21, 2026, seeking comment on its request to reinstate, with changes, an information collection under 49 CFR Part 575 concerning consumer safety information for truck-camper loading and utility vehicle rollover warnings. The rule requires manufacturers to submit technical safety and performance data and affix relevant labels. The agency estimates 35 manufacturers submit around 15 responses annually, with a total annual burden of 22,865 hours and a printing cost of $1,579,550 for 4,513,000 labels. Public comments on the proposed collection are invited until August 20, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Data Collection Available for Public Comments

The Small Business Administration issued a 60-day Federal Register notice on July 22, 2026, inviting public comment on the extension or revision of its SBIC Financial Reports information collection, OMB Control Number 3245-0063. The collection covers financial statement submissions from 1,346 respondents using SBA Form 468, with a total annual hour burden of 37,446. Comments may address utility, methodology, and burden reduction and are due by September 21, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

9913—To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, and the Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, to establish a system for color coding certain intoxicating drinks, and for other purposes.

The bill instructs HHS and the Treasury to establish a color coding system for specified intoxicating beverages. It has been referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means for review.

Sources: www.congress.gov

9850—To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish birth tourism as an offense, and for other purposes.

This bill seeks to make birth tourism a federal offense under Title 18. It was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for further consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

9876—To prohibit birth tourism, and for other purposes.

Designed to prohibit birth tourism, this bill was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for evaluation.

Sources: www.congress.gov

9839—To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a grant program to, through subgrants to eligible entities, improve certain impacts of participation in programs related to physical activity or youth sports and increase access to youth sports, and for other purposes.

This legislation proposes a grant initiative through HHS to support youth sports and physical activity programs. It was referred to the Committees on Education and Workforce, as well as Energy and Commerce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

9938—To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a credit to incentivize investments in movie theaters, and for other purposes.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to create a tax credit encouraging investments in movie theaters. It is currently under review in the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Sources: www.congress.gov

5267—American Franchise Act

The American Franchise Act addresses labor and employment standards for franchise operations. The bill was ordered reported, as amended, by a committee vote of 18-15.

Sources: www.congress.gov

9943—To amend the Small Business Act to help owners and employees of small business concerns understand their rights and responsibilities with respect to immigration enforcement, and for other purposes.

This bill amends the Small Business Act to provide guidance to small business owners and employees regarding immigration enforcement. It was referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Did the World Cup Live Up to Tourism Expectations? Here Are the Winners and Losers.: An analysis of tourism impacts from the World Cup across host cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
• World Cup boom, Middle East gloom could split earnings for US travel firms: World Cup-driven demand has boosted U.S. travel firms, while Middle East instability weighs on sector earnings.
• Less booze, more moves: Inside Gen Z’s new social scene: UK pubs face closures as Gen Z shifts toward alcohol-free social activities and fitness-centric venues.
• Major city launches harsh tourist crackdown as locals revolt over massive crowds: Local governments in major tourist destinations introduce stricter regulations to address crowding and resident complaints.
• Poland, Hungary's foreign worker curbs create headache for business: Restrictions on foreign workers in Poland and Hungary are causing operational difficulties for hospitality and retail businesses.
• Cyclospora outbreak: Is it still safe to eat at restaurants? Here's what to know: A Cyclospora outbreak prompts renewed scrutiny of food safety protocols for restaurants across North America.
• On Instagram, Travelers Are Taking Risky Cross-Continental Journeys. What Could Go Wrong?: Social media trends encourage riskier cross-continental travel among adventure-seeking tourists.
• How to Enjoy a Trip to St. Tropez—Even If You’re Not a Millionaire: Practical tips for enjoying luxury travel in St. Tropez on a budget.

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