US Seeks to Join Cruise Lines in Hawaii Environmental Tax Suit

The US government asked to intervene in a federal court dispute over a Hawaii environmental tax on cruise ships, arguing the levy infringes national law.

Hawaii’s Act 96—which imposes an 11% surcharge on cruise ships that enter and dock at ports in the state to fund climate resilience, sustainable tourism, and environmental stewardship projects—violates the Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act which forbids states from placing taxes on ships, the federal government’s memorandum in support of its motion to intervene said.

“The RHA exists precisely to prevent the taxation scheme Hawaii has adopted by ensuring that vessel taxation adheres to uniform, ...