H.R. 2729: Carnivals are Real Entertainment Act

This bill, known as the Carnivals are Real Entertainment Act, aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a new category of nonimmigrant workers known as "mobile entertainment workers." The primary focus of the bill is on supporting the mobile entertainment industry, which includes traveling carnivals and circuses. Here are the main points of what the bill would do:

Definition of Mobile Entertainment Workers

The bill defines "mobile entertainment workers" as individuals who seek to enter the United States temporarily to perform essential functions for mobile entertainment providers. This includes:

• Transporting, assembling, operating, disassembling, and maintaining equipment used in mobile entertainment.
• Working with attractions, structures, and equipment like rides, games, and food concessions.

Admission Requirements

The bill proposes to allow these workers to enter the U.S. under specific conditions. It modifies existing immigration provisions so that mobile entertainment providers are subject to similar requirements that govern other non-immigrant workers. This includes compliance with labor regulations as established by the Department of Labor.

Functions Defined

For the purpose of this bill, the term "mobile entertainment provider" is clarified to mean:

• A carnival or circus that travels within the U.S. on a seasonal or temporary basis.
• Service providers associated with carnivals, such as food and game vendors, also operating seasonally or temporarily at fairs and festivals.

Implementation Timeline

Upon enactment, the bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Labor to publish proposed rules for implementing these provisions within 180 days. The final rules are expected to be complete within one year of the bill's enactment.

Overall Implications

The bill seeks to facilitate a more organized and legal pathway for workers involved in the mobile entertainment industry, reflecting an acknowledgment of their unique role and the economic contribution of such entertainment forms.

Relevant Companies

• SIX - Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, which operates theme parks and may rely on mobile entertainment workers for seasonal operational needs.
• CSCC - Circus Circus Enterprises, which could benefit from easier access to mobile entertainment personnel for various events and performance needs.