THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

11

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO REPEAL THE PASSENGER SERVICES ACT OF 1886.

 

WHEREAS, the Passenger Services Act of 1886 was enacted in the late 19th century to protect the interests of United States shipbuilders and also to protect a United States merchant marine fleet in the event of war; and

WHEREAS, the Passenger Services Act operates in conjunction with the Jones Act and other shipping laws to define vessels authorized to carry passengers in the coastwise trades; and

WHEREAS, the Passenger Services Act prohibits the carrying of passengers by foreign ships between United States ports, requires a stop at a foreign port for round trips between two

U. S. cities, and prevents one-way passenger cruises between

U. S. ports; and

WHEREAS, the original intent of the Passenger Services Act is now unnecessary because United States shipyards have not built a U. S. flagged, ocean-going passenger cruise liner since 1951; and

WHEREAS, advances in technology have made the defense justification no longer applicable as a method of achieving many national defense goals and specially-built craft rather than modified commercial vessels adequately address defense needs; and

WHEREAS, the Cruise America Coalition estimates that the average cruise passenger spends more than $200 a day ashore; and

WHEREAS, according to the Cruise America Coalition, amending the Passenger Services Act could be worth an additional $1 billion to the coastal communities of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the repeal of the Passenger Services Act could greatly boost Hawaii's economy insomuch as cruise liners benefit numerous businesses, including local retailers and shops, travel agents, restaurants, stevedores, tour operators, hotels, and transportation companies; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Hawaii State Legislature respectfully requests that the Congress of the United States repeal the Passenger Services Act of 1886; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii State Legislature respectfully requests the President of the United States and his administration support the repeal of the Passenger Services Act as requested herein; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation and to the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Repeal of the Passenger Services Act of 1886.