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House committees advance bill to impose per‑passenger cruise fee, create cruise fund
Summary
A joint committee advanced HB 2195 HT1 to require a per‑passenger infrastructure fee on cruise ships and create a cruise ship special fund; DOT cites roughly 917,000 passengers in FY2025 and estimates $6.3 million at $6.50 per head but supports a higher $10 rate to fund infrastructure and shore power.
HONOLULU — A joint meeting of the House Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Economic Development and Technology voted Tuesday to advance HB 2195 HT1, a measure that would require the Department of Transportation to assess a per‑passenger infrastructure fee on cruise ships and establish a cruise ship special fund.
The bill, as described to the committee, would also apply the state transient accommodations tax (TAT) to cruise ships retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026, and sets an effective date written in the draft. Chair Tam recommended advancing the measure while continuing conversations about whether a separate special fund is necessary or whether a cruise subaccount could be created within the existing Harbor Special Fund.
The measure drew industry support and cautions from…
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