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Republican bills advance a single federal privacy standard
House Republicans have unveiled two federal data privacy bills that would set nationwide rules for how companies collect and use personal data. The aim is to replace an already sizeable, uneven patchwork of state laws and to grant consumers new rights to access and control their information. For the travel industry, which is accustomed to daily data flows between booking platforms, suppliers and B2B providers, the impact would be immediate. The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), which has advocated for federal harmonisation for several years, welcomes the move and links it to its 2024 policy brief calling for an end to the patchwork of state rules.
Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of the Travel Technology Association, said:
"A clear, consistent national privacy framework would be a significant step forward for the travel industry and the millions of consumers and businesses it serves every day. Travel is inherently interstate and increasingly digital – yet today, companies must navigate a growing patchwork of state laws that create confusion, increase compliance costs, and complicate the seamless experiences travelers expect."
"A federal standard that responsibly pre-empts conflicting state laws would provide much-needed clarity for both consumer-facing platforms and the many business-to-business companies that power the travel ecosystem behind the scenes. From booking and payments to distribution and data analytics, travel technology depends on the responsible flow of information across state lines."
"Travel Tech believes all travelers should have strong and consistent federal data privacy and security protections, no matter where they live and regardless of their method of travel search or mode of transportation."
Travel Tech joined the “United for Privacy: End the Patchwork” coalition in 2023 and says it is ready to work with lawmakers.
The proposals now move into the legislative process, beginning with formal filings and committee work. Travel Tech says it will continue engaging stakeholders, with the pre‑emption of state laws expected to be a central point of debate. The association also notes that, beyond the legislative timetable, travel companies will need to anticipate adjustments to data governance, transparency and transfer mechanisms if a federal standard materialises.
