HI SR45

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 U.S.-build requirement creates an artificial scarcity of ships, inflates costs for noncontiguous jurisdictions (which represent less than 2% of U.S. population but bear over 50% of Jones Act cost burden), and results in an aging fleet with average containership age of 28 years versus 12-year international average.

Notes the exemption would not affect U.S.-flag, U.S.-ownership, or U.S.-crew requirements; would not apply to tug and barge industries; and would not impact shipping in contiguous U.S. mainland, intercoastal, inland waterways, or Great Lakes trades.

Urges Hawaii's congressional delegation to work with colleagues from Alaska, Guam, and Puerto Rico to introduce federal legislation granting the exemption and requests the President and his administration to support such legislation.

Directs certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the President, Congress leadership, Department of Transportation, and the congressional delegations and governors of Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, and Puerto Rico.