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Businesses Sue State Over Cuba Travel Law

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Jun 30, 2008 1:41 pm US/Eastern

Businesses Sue State Over Cuba Travel Law

MIAMI (AP) ― Dozens of Florida-based travel agencies have sued the state in an effort to block a new law that would make it harder for them to book trips to Cuba.

In the lawsuit filed Monday in Miami federal court, the agencies argue the measure could drive up costs and put them out of business.

The new law is set to take effect Tuesday July 1st, and would force the agencies to put up a $250,000 state bond in some cases if they book tours to Cuba. That's on top of an existing federal bond.

The law affects only those vendors that sell direct trips to nations that sponsor terrorism. In Florida, that means Cuba.

Republican State Representative David Rivera, who sponsored the measure, has said he hopes it will cut down on travel fraud.

A spokesman for the Department of Agriculture, which will oversee the regulation, says it's not the state's intention to harm the companies.

There are a string of new laws set to take effect in the state of Florida on July 1st. Click here for more information.

(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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