HI HR119

Requests Congress to exempt Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico from the U.S.-build requirement of the Jones Act for large self-propelled oceangoing ships in noncontiguous domestic trades.

Argues that the U.S.-build requirement creates an artificial scarcity of capital ships, restricts competition, and imposes disproportionate economic costs on noncontiguous jurisdictions that lack alternative transportation options.

Notes that no LNG carriers have been built in the U.S. since the mid-1970s, and the exemption is necessary for Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Alaska to access domestic LNG sources for energy cost relief.

Emphasizes the exemption is limited and narrowly targeted, preserving existing U.S.-flag, U.S.-ownership, and U.S.-crew requirements, and would not affect tug and barge industries or domestic shipping along the contiguous U.S. mainland.

Urges the President, Congress, and Hawaii's congressional delegation to support this legislation, and directs transmission of the resolution to relevant federal and territorial officials.