WASHINGTON — North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is again promoting a bill she sponsored two years ago that would let Canadian “snowbirds” stay in the U.S. longer.

U.S. law limits Canadian retirees to spending no more than half the year — 182 days — at any home they own or lease in the U.S. The Canadian Snowbird Visa Act (H.R. 3513) that Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, introduced in July 2017 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend that limit by two months, to 240 days.

It would only apply to Canadians over age 50 who own or lease property in the U.S., who do not work in the U.S. and who are not otherwise deportable.

It’s a bipartisan bill, with Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch of Florida leading a list of 40 co-sponsors. Both Stefanik and Deutch said Canadian visitors are economically important to their areas and that extending their stays would help businesses.

Stefanik and Deutch issued a similar press release in 2017 when they first proposed the bill.