MIAMI Dozens of Florida-based travel agencies have sued the state trying to block a new law that would make it harder 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 law starts Tuesday and would force the agencies to put up a $250,000 state bond in some cases if they book tours to Cuba. The bond pays for investigating the agencies to make sure they don't violate federal law.

It affects vendors who sell direct trips to nations the U.S. believes sponsor terrorism. In Florida, that means Cuba.

Republican state Rep. David Rivera says he hopes his law will cut down on travel fraud because the bond also protects customers.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press