SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHJM 4026

        AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY &

            ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, FEBRUARY 25, 1994

Brief Description:  Requesting that federal law be amended to allow foreign‑flagged cruise ships between U.S. ports.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Shin, Wineberry, Valle, Linville, Hansen, Quall, Basich, Grant, Forner, Patterson, Johanson, Sheldon, Leonard, Schoesler, Campbell, Lisk, Chandler, Foreman, Kremen, Springer and J. Kohl)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Skratek, Chairman; Sheldon, Vice Chairman; Bluechel, Cantu, Erwin, M. Rasmussen and Williams.

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786‑7428)

Hearing Dates: February 22, 1994; February 25, 1994

BACKGROUND:

The Federal Passenger Service Act of 1886 prohibits foreign-flagged vessels from transporting passengers between United States ports.  The original intent of the act was to protect domestic passenger vessels from foreign competition.  At the present time, the only two domestic-flagged cruise ships sail the Hawaiian Islands.

The Washington economy depends heavily on international trade and tourism.  Expanding the cruise ship industry represents an opportunity for the state.  The direct impact of the federal law is that the Northwest cruise ship trade, which features Alaska, does not include ports in the state of Washington.

SUMMARY:

The members of the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives request that President Clinton and the United States Congress establish a United States cruise ship industry as set forth in the United States Passenger Vessel Development Act, thereby developing a U.S. cruise ship registry, U.S. jobs and a U.S. cruise ship trade.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Foreign passenger ships could be stopping in Washington State and generating jobs here.  This proposal will remedy a great economic disparity.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

U.S. labor laws should apply to the employees of cruise ships in U.S. waters.

TESTIFIED:  Representative Shin, prime sponsor; Patrick Jones, WA Public Ports Assn. (pro); Marc Fraser, National Cruise Ship Alliance (pro); Henry Yates, Port of Seattle; Scott Braymer, Inland Boatman's Union of the Pacific (con)