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Sens. Nelson and Rubio File Bill to Extend Canadian Snowbirds' Stay

The flags of the U.S. and Canada
Housingwire
The flags of the U.S. and Canada

Florida's U.S. Senators — Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Marco Rubio — introduced legislation Thursday to extend the stay of some Canadian citizens who vacation in the U.S. 

If passed, the billwould allow Canadian citizens to stay in the U.S. for up to eight months of the year — two months longer than they're allowed to now.

But, the bill applies to some, not all, visiting Canadians.

The language of the bill specifies that they must be over the age of 50 and rent or own property in the U.S., but they cannot work for American employers while here or seek public assistance.

An estimated 3.2 million Canadians visited Florida in 2016, according to VISIT Florida. And, the Canadian embassy says those coming to the state contribute more than $4 billion to Florida's tourism-based economy each year.

Copyright 2020 WGCU. To see more, visit WGCU.

RachelIacovoneis a reporter and associate producer of Gulf Coast LiveforWGCU News. Rachel came toWGCU as an intern in 2016, during the presidential race. She went on to cover Florida Gulf Coast University students at President Donald Trump's inauguration on Capitol Hill and Southwest Floridians in attendance at the following day's Women's March on Washington.
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