A bill to permit under certain conditions the transportation of passengers between ports in the State of Alaska, or between a port in the State of Alaska and a port in the State of Washington, on vessels not qualified to engage in the coastwise trade that transport more than 1,000 passengers, and for other purposes.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill 118 s 3731, also known as the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act, aims to allow the transportation of passengers between ports in Alaska and Washington on vessels that are not typically permitted to engage in coastwise trade. Specifically, this bill would permit vessels that can carry more than 1,000 passengers to transport tourists between these ports under certain conditions.

The purpose of this legislation is to support the tourism industry in Alaska, which has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. By allowing larger vessels to transport passengers between ports in Alaska and Washington, the bill aims to boost tourism and help the economy recover.

It is important to note that this bill includes provisions to ensure the safety and security of passengers, as well as protection for the environment. The bill also includes measures to address concerns related to competition and the impact on other businesses in the region. Overall, the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act seeks to provide a much-needed boost to the tourism industry in Alaska and support economic recovery in the region.