Legislature(2021 - 2022)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/18/2021 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview: Statewide Aviation & International Airports | |
| SJR9 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | SJR 9 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SJR 9-URGE EXEMPTION FOR CRUISE SHIPS
2:18:12 PM
CHAIR MYERS announced that the final order of business would be
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9 Urging the United States Congress
to exempt cruise ships from certain provisions of the Passenger
Vessel Services Act and other applicable provisions of federal
law for the period during which Canadian ports are closed to
cruise ships carrying more than 100 people; and urging the
President of the United States not to fine or take actions
against cruise ships sailing to the state.
2:18:42 PM
SENATOR KIEHL, speaking as sponsor, said the pandemic has hit
Alaska hard economically. He expressed concern that the cruise
industry may not come to Alaska this summer. In 2019, about 2.25
million visitors came to Alaska. Of those, 1.2 million were
passengers on cruise ships. The tourism sector brought $4
billion in economic activity in Alaska. He directed attention to
language in the resolution that highlights this economic
activity. In 2020, the tourism figures dropped close to zero.
While some businesses closed, others have held on due to federal
help from the CARES Act [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security Act]. Seasonal employees were not hired last year and
were relying on pandemic unemployment assistance. He cautioned
that these businesses would not survive without a cruise season
this year.
SJR 9 asks Alaska's Congressional Delegation and the executive
branch of the federal government to take steps to make it
possible for Alaska to have a cruise ship season this year. He
noted that he worked with members of the delegation when
drafting the resolution who suggested the language should be
broad enough to allow it the flexibility to address this issue.
SENATOR KIEHL said this resolution is not a call for permanent
changes to federal laws, lasting changes in federal rules
designed to protect American steel or shipbuilding jobs or allow
for unlimited cruise ship passengers in the future. Instead, SJR
9 requests a waiver limited to the 2021 cruise ship season, he
said.
2:25:21 PM
SENATOR SHOWER said he appreciates SJR 9 and supports efforts to
get Alaska's businesses operational. Many businesses were caught
off guard by the pandemic, could not manage, and closed. He said
his interest stems from the fact that his district has two
ports. He expressed concern that fear mongering related to
COVID-19 caused people not to book cruise ship travel. Further,
the state highlighted COVID-19 issues to the extent that it
added to people's concern about travel. In addition, the
administration put some development projects on hold to the
extent that the state might struggle economically. Many cruise
passengers fall into the vulnerable COVID-19 category. Since the
CDC can protect passengers, the cruise industry could have been
operating. Instead, the cruise ship industry was shut down
nationally and in Canada. He offered his view that people needed
to let go of fear to allow the state to open up.
2:29:17 PM
SENATOR KIEHL offered his view that many passengers will feel
safe due to protocols in place on cruise ships. In addition, two
vaccines are being offered and more are in the planning stages,
he said.
2:30:25 PM
CHAIR MYERS opened public testimony on SJR 9.
2:31:17 PM
PAULA TERREL, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, stated that she
previously served on the Juneau Visitor Industry Task Force,
which dealt almost exclusively with the cruise ship industry.
However, she is speaking on her own behalf today, she said. This
resolution supports the waiver exemption provisions of the
Passenger Vessel Services Act, specifically from requiring
foreign flagged vessels to stop in a non-USA port. Cruise ships
destined for Alaska must stop in Canada, which has closed its
ports until 2022. Although this resolution was the sponsor's
attempt to help businesses that have suffered economic hardships
from last year cruise ship season last year, it is not the
solution. Under the waiver, foreign flagged cruise ships could
travel in international waters and directly access Southeast
Alaska. She was uncertain how many large cruise ships would take
advantage of this opportunity since some cruise lines are not
foreign flagged, such as Norwegian Cruise Lines. However, many
residents, including herself, desire to limit the number of
cruise ships and passengers visiting Southeast Alaska.
MS. TERREL related that foreign flagged vessels are exempt from
certain taxes and enjoy other financial benefits. She
acknowledged that strict CDC guidelines would potentially
minimize COVID-19 but she was unsure how safe communities would
be. She urged members to seek options for supporting local
businesses other than this this waiver.
2:35:54 PM
KIMBERLY METCALFE, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, spoke in
opposition to SJR 9 because she has concerns about the issues
related to the foreign-flagged cruise ship industry. She
specifically spoke against the waiver exemption provisions of
the Passenger Vessel Services Act that requires foreign-flagged
vessels to stop in a Canadian or other non-USA port. Last month,
Transport Canada reported that Canada decided to extend the ban
on cruise ship travel until February 28, 2022, because:
Cruise vessels in Canadian waters pose a risk to our
health care systems. The government of Canada will
continue to evaluate the situation and make changes as
necessary to ensure the health and safety of all
Canadians. Should the COVID-19 pandemic sufficiently
improve to allow resumption of these activities, the
Minister of Transport has the ability to rescind the
interim orders.
MS METCALFE said this ban emphasizes that Canada puts its
citizens first. COVID-19 provides an opportunity for SE Alaska
to explore its relationship with the cruise industry, including
effects on whales, crowding, and emergency services, she said.
2:39:08 PM
RAY PRESTON, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, spoke in
opposition to SJR 9 due to COVID-19 risks highlighted by CDC. He
said SJR 9 ignored the risk to Alaskans by offering a waiver,
yet Canada issued the ban to protect its citizens. He offered
his view that this resolution ignored the pandemic in favor of
revenue from the cruise industry. It also ignored the CDC
[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines. He
quoted from the CDC's website:
CDC recommends that all people avoid travel on cruise
ships, including river cruises, worldwide. That's
because the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships
is high since the virus appears to spread more easily
between people in close quarters aboard ships. It is
especially important that people with an increased
risk of severe illness put off travel on cruise ships,
including river cruises.
MR. PRESTON concluded by stating that he hoped that this
resolution would not pass.
2:41:22 PM
KARLA HART, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, highlighted her
concern that the cruise industry has more physical impact in
Alaska but SJR 9 does not recommend any enforcement or fines.
She related that she operated tourism businesses in Juneau for
ten years. The cruise industry has the biggest voice and the
most visitors yet it also has the greatest adverse impact on
communities. She expressed concern that SJR 9 lumped cruise and
other visitors together. She said, "Tourism does not equal
cruise tourism. According to the 2016 Alaska Visitors Statistics
Program (AVSP), visitors spend $2 billion in Alaska. However,
cruise passengers only account for one-third of it. Further, SJR
9 urges the President of the United States to not take
enforcement actions against cruise ships sailing to the state
while the Canadian ports are closed to the cruise ships. She
surmised that the sponsor likely intended this resolution to
refer to the Passenger Vessel Services Act but it does not do
so. She urged the committee to amend this language since the
cruise industry has a long history of environmental violations.
2:44:12 PM
SUSAN SCHRADER, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, acknowledged
that local businesses catering to cruise ship passengers were
severely hurt during the pandemic as were other businesses. She
commended the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) for its COVID-19
mitigation and vaccination efforts. She referred to the sponsor
statement that cited the CDC's stringent COVID-19 safety
protocols for responsible cruising in American waters. However,
she does not trust the foreign-flagged cruise industry to follow
the protocols or any US law, she said.
MS. SCHRADER suggested that the committee consider the cruise
ships as huge assisted-living facilities with passengers
congregating in bars, restaurants, and night clubs for over a
week. She expressed concern that passengers pose risks for local
residents, ports of call, and their home communities. She
offered her view that any approval to stop in Alaska communities
should be based on the best science available and reflect the
will of the local residents. She offered her view that SJR 9 was
badly misguided.
2:47:19 PM
At ease
2:47:55 PM
CHAIR MYERS reconvened the meeting.
2:47:59 PM
SENATOR SHOWER related his understanding that people have
concerns about COVID-19. However, testing standards can mitigate
the effects to protect citizens. He offered his view that
communities can take precautions to protect their citizens yet
still allow cruise ships. He cautioned people that federal
funding to communities will run out. He solicited solutions from
testifiers that would allow people to work and for the state to
have a viable economy. He pointed out that Alaska has been
devastated by job losses and closed businesses due to COVID-19.
2:49:27 PM
RORIE WATT, City Manager, City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ),
Juneau, Alaska, spoke in support of SJR 9. He stated that not
having ships in port last summer was devastating to Juneau. He
stated that the city government, local businesses, and neighbors
and friends were hurting. He pointed out that this issue was not
limited to Juneau. The lack of the cruise ship industry in
Alaska affects Southeast Alaska and Interior Alaska since many
visitors disembark from cruise ships and travel throughout
Alaska, he said.
2:50:26 PM
KATIE BOTZ, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, said she
respected what Senator Kiehl is trying to do by keeping tour
businesses open. She characterized downtown Juneau as a ghost
town last summer. She asked the committee to consider amending
the resolution to enforce stricter CDC guidelines to protect
residents.
2:52:40 PM
CHRIS EICHENLAUB, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, spoke in
support of SJR 9 due to the economic benefits from the cruise
industry throughout Alaska. In fact, he said he supports any
bill that will open the state up and allow things to return to
normal. He suggested that businesses could decide to stay closed
if the owner has concerns about COVID-19.
2:54:51 PM
VIKKI JO KENNEDY, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, agreed with
the prior testifier that businesses could decide to stay closed
if the owner has concerns about COVID-19. She cautioned against
stopping the progress of business in Juneau or elsewhere in
Alaska.
2:57:25 PM
CHAIR MYERS closed public testimony on SJR 9.
2:57:39 PM
SENATOR KIEHL, speaking as sponsor, said he appreciates the
robust comments. He clarified that Congress has authority to
waive the provisions of the Passenger Vessel Services Act and
change federal laws. He pointed out that the CDC requirements
included laboratory testing on board each cruise ship for
passengers and crew and isolation for those who test positive to
limit spread. The CDC included requirements for shoreside COVID-
19 testing for passengers and crew, including for crew changes.
He said local port agreements provide local control and include
shoreside health care providers. He offered his view that this
was a rigorous and thorough approach to COVID-19 that will also
allow the possibility of economic activity. He acknowledged that
issues arise. However, nothing in SJR 9 affects local control.
3:01:05 PM
CHAIR MYERS noted there were no amendments and solicited a
motion.
3:01:19 PM
SENATOR SHOWER moved to report SJR 9, work order 32-LS0503\B,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
CHAIR MYERS found no objection and SJR 9 was reported from the
Senate Transportation Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SJR 9 Sponsor Statement 2.10.2021.pdf |
STRA 2/18/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 9 |
| SJR 9 Support Testimony as of 2.17.2021.pdf |
STRA 2/18/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 9 |
| SJR 9 Opposition Testimony as of 2.17.2021.pdf |
STRA 2/18/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 9 |
| DOT Aviation & Airports Presentation 2.18.pdf |
STRA 2/18/2021 1:30:00 PM |
|
| SJR9 Fiscal Note.pdf |
STRA 2/18/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 9 |