The Consumer Product Safety Commission is getting increased funding and new attention from Congress after last year’s toy safety stories.  The CPSC Reform Act and the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act have passed Congress and differences will be worked out in conference.  One aspect of the law bans the acceptance of travel from certain sources:

SEC. 222. INDUSTRY-SPONSORED TRAVEL BAN.

The Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

`SEC. 38. PROHIBITION ON INDUSTRY-SPONSORED TRAVEL.

`(a) Prohibition- Notwithstanding section 1353 of title 31, United States Code, no Commissioner or employee of the Commission shall accept travel, subsistence, and related expenses with respect to attendance by a Commissioner or employee at any meeting or similar function relating to official duties of a Commissioner or an employee, from a person–

`(1) seeking official action from, doing business with, or conducting activities regulated by, the Commission; or

`(2) whose interests may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the Commissioner’s or employee’s official duties.

`(b) Authorization of Appropriations for Official Travel- There are authorized to be appropriated, for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2011, $1,200,000 to the Commission for certain travel and lodging expenses necessary in furtherance of the official duties of Commissioners and employees.’.