RIDE Act

# RIDE Act Summary **What the Bill Does** The RIDE Act would expand P visa eligibility to include certain workers employed by traveling carnivals and circuses. Currently, P visas are limited to athletes, artists, and entertainers. This bill would extend those visas to workers who perform essential support functions—such as transporting, assembling, and maintaining carnival rides and circus structures and equipment—even though these workers aren't performers themselves. **Who It Affects and Key Requirements** The bill would primarily affect traveling entertainment companies and foreign workers seeking employment in the U.S. carnival and circus industry.

However, it includes important protections: employers could only hire foreign workers through this visa program if they can demonstrate that sufficient U.S. workers are unavailable for the positions, and that hiring foreign workers won't negatively impact the wages or working conditions of American workers already doing similar jobs. **Current Status** As of now, the bill (S 1281) remains in committee and has not advanced further in the legislative process. It was introduced by Senator Thomas Tillis (R-NC) in the 119th Congress but has not yet been voted on or passed by either chamber.