HI SCR93

Requests Congress to exempt Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico from the U.S.-build requirement of the Jones Act (Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920) for large self-propelled oceangoing ships in noncontiguous domestic trades.

Argues the Jones Act's U.S.-build requirement creates artificially high shipping costs, aging fleets (average containership age of 28 years versus international average of 12 years), and disproportionately burdens noncontiguous jurisdictions representing less than 2% of U.S. population while bearing over 50% of Jones Act compliance costs.

Notes foreign-built LNG carrier ships are necessary for Hawaii to access liquefied natural gas from domestic U.S. sources, as no LNG carriers have been built in the U.S. since the mid-1970s and U.S. construction would be cost-prohibitive.

Specifies the exemption would be limited to large oceangoing ships and would not affect U.S.-flag, U.S.-ownership, U.S.-crew requirements, tug and barge industries, domestic mainland shipping, intercoastal trades, inland waterways, or Great Lakes shipping.

Directs certified copies be sent to the President, Congress leadership, U.S. Department of Transportation, Hawaii's congressional delegation, and delegations from Alaska, Guam, and Puerto Rico.