NJ SCR25

The Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920) requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be carried on U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-crewed vessels, creating higher shipping costs for island territories like Puerto Rico that depend on sea imports.

Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, as a category four hurricane, devastating infrastructure and leaving nearly all 3.4 million residents without power while the territory was already facing a $74 billion debt crisis.

Puerto Rico relies heavily on imported fuel for electricity generation, with roughly half of power coming from petroleum-burning plants and about one-third from natural gas, all of which must be shipped to the island.

The New Jersey Legislature urges Congress and the President to permanently exempt Puerto Rico from Jones Act shipping restrictions (46 U.S.C. s.55102) to reduce costs for humanitarian aid, disaster recovery supplies, fuel, and consumer goods, with an exception for goods necessary for national defense.