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Committee OKs holding updated container fee measure after amendment that moves majority of revenue to General Fund
Summary
The Rules and Judiciary Committee took up a bill to raise container fees for large import shipments, adopted an amendment that updates the 45‑foot threshold and phases a revenue allocation change, and then held the measure in committee for additional review.
The Rules and Judiciary Committee considered bill 36‑0039, which updates container and flat‑rack import fees. After discussion and an amendment, the committee voted to hold the bill in committee at the chair's call for further consideration.
Sponsor Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr. said the measure updates a 23‑year‑old container fee structure to capture higher‑cost, larger containers (inserting “or more” after 45 feet), and to increase fees modestly for large commercial shipments. The sponsor argued the change is predictable, modest per‑unit and meant to help support port operations, infrastructure repairs and solid waste management. During the prior Budget Committee review the Government's Office of Management and Budget recommended a larger share of the fees go to the General Fund; the amendment before Rules sets a transition that keeps a 50/50 split for several years and then, effective Oct. 1, 2030, shifts the allocation to 75% General Fund and 25% to a territorial beautification summer program that creates temporary jobs for youths.
Committee members raised concerns about passing costs onto consumers and about the performance and fiscal management of the Waste Management Authority; some senators said they needed assurance the Authority's outstanding billing and customer‑connectivity issues would be resolved before additional funds are committed. The sponsor and colleagues said most container imports are commercial shipments and that per‑unit impacts are typically pennies on large shipments. The motion to adopt the sponsor amendment carried and the committee voted to hold the amended bill in committee for further consideration; roll call showed the measure was held at the request of the sponsor.
