AK SJR9

Urges U.S. Congress to exempt cruise ships sailing to Alaska from the Passenger Vessel Services Act and other federal laws requiring stops at Canadian or foreign ports while Canadian ports remain closed to ships carrying more than 100 people.

Identifies cruise ship tourism as critical to Alaska's economy, with 1,331,600 cruise visitors in 2019 generating $214 million in state and municipal revenue, $1.4 billion in payroll, and supporting 8,394 jobs annually.

Notes that COVID-19 pandemic restrictions caused Southeast Alaska unemployment to increase from 4.7 percent to 11.3 percent, representing a 17 percent loss of all jobs in the region.

Directs that if Congress does not grant an exemption, the resolution urges the President of the United States to allow cruise ships to operate on round-trip itineraries between Washington and Alaska ports.

Requires copies of the resolution to be sent to President Biden, Vice President Harris, Alaska's congressional delegation, and all members of the 117th Congress.