HI SCR117

Requests the President and Congress to exempt Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, and Puerto Rico from the Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920).

Cites Tesoro refinery closure in Hawaii and fuel shortage vulnerabilities as justification for exemption from Jones Act restrictions on vessel ownership, flag, crew, and construction requirements.

Notes Jones Act restrictions increase shipping costs 5.5 times higher than international rates and limit livestock carriers and liquefied natural gas tankers unavailable from U.S. shipyards in over 40 years.

Highlights that Jones Act-restricted vessels serving these territories have an average age of 28 years versus 12 years for international fleets, creating higher accident risk and elevated costs of living.

Directs transmission of resolution to President, Congress leadership, Department of Transportation, and governors and congressional delegations of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam.