alaska tourism restoration act

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Bill Signing: H.R.   1318

On Monday, May 24, 2021, the President signed into law:

H.R. 1318, the “Alaska Tourism Restoration Act,” which temporarily allows foreign-flagged cruise ships to sail directly from Washington State to Alaska without having to dock in Canada first until either the date on which Canada lifts restrictions prohibiting cruise ships from docking in its waters due to the COVID-19 pandemic or March 31, 2022.

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U.S. Cruise Ships One Step Closer to Returning to Alaska

Now, cruise lines are just waiting on CDC approval.

Alaska summer cruises are one step closer to reality after President Joe Biden signed the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act into law on Monday, allowing ships to bypass Canada as they travel to the state.

"Today, I signed the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act into law," Biden tweeted Monday evening. "Tourism is vital to the state of Alaska — and this law will help revitalize the industry and support Alaskans by allowing large cruise ships to return to the state this summer."

The new law, which nullified a century-old law that required large foreign-flagged ships to first stop in Canada, will allow cruises to eventually sail from the mainland U.S. directly to Alaska. The law became a priority after Canada extended its ban on cruise ships until at least next year.

The bill was first introduced in March by Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and passed by the Senate on May 13 before being passed by the House on May 20.

"For over a year and a half many Alaskan communities who rely solely on tourism have been completely cut off from business due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Alaska Delegation has worked for months to try to find opportunities to provide a safe path forward for Alaskans—to help salvage what is left of the 2021 tourism season," Murkowski said in a statement on Monday. "Together, with the support of so many Alaskans, there is now a light at the end of a long, dark tunnel."

In anticipation of the law being signed, several cruise lines announced plans to sail from ports like Seattle directly to Alaska this summer, including Princess Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line , and Royal Caribbean.

While cruise lines are preparing to sail to The Last Frontier as soon as July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet approved the restart of cruises in the United States. The agency, which has said it hopes to resume sailings by mid-July , will require cruise lines to complete test sailings unless 98% of crew and 95% of passengers are fully vaccinated.

Those test sailings will likely start soon. Royal Caribbean , for example, submitted its initial plans for test sailings to the CDC for approval on Friday.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

Alaska Tourism Restoration Act

Note: This is the original legislation as it was initially enacted. Any subsequent amendments hosted on Wikisource may be listed using What Links Here .

An Act To restrict the imposition by the Secretary of Homeland Security of fines, penalties, duties, or tariffs applicable only to coastwise voyages, or prohibit otherwise qualified non-United States citizens from serving as crew, on specified vessels transporting passengers between the State of Washington and the State of Alaska, to address a Canadian cruise ship ban and the extraordinary impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Alaskan communities, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

• 1 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
• 2 SEC. 2. VOYAGE DEEMED TO BE FOREIGN.
• 3.1 “§ 3510. Additional medical and safety standards

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. [ edit ]

This Act may be cited as the “Alaska Tourism Restoration Act”.

SEC. 2. VOYAGE DEEMED TO BE FOREIGN. [ edit ]

(a) Definition of Covered Cruise Ship .—

(1) In general .—In this section, the term “covered cruise ship” means a vessel included on the list under paragraph (2) that—

(A) has been issued, operates in accordance with, and retains a COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and

(B) operates in accordance with any restrictions or guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention associated with such Certificate, including any such restrictions or guidance issued after the date of enactment of this Act.

(2) List .—The vessels listed under this paragraph are the following:

(A) Carnival Freedom (IMO number 9333149).

(B) Carnival Miracle (IMO number 9237357).

(C) Crystal Serenity (IMO number 9243667).

(D) Discovery Princess (IMO number 9837468).

(E) Emerald Princess (IMO number 9333151).

(F) Eurodam (IMO number 9378448).

(G) Golden Horizon (IMO number 9793545).

(H) Grand Princess (IMO number 9104005).

(I) Hanseatic Inspiration (IMO number 9817145).

(J) Koningsdam (IMO number 9692557).

(K) NG Quest (IMO number 9798985).

(L) NG Sea Bird (IMO number 8966444).

(M) NG Sea Lion (IMO number 8966456).

(N) NG Venture (IMO number 9799044).

(O) Nieuw Amsterdam (IMO number 9378450).

(P) Noordam (IMO number 9230115).

(Q) Zuiderdam (IMO number 9221279).

(R) Majestic Princess (IMO number 9614141).

(S) Ovation of the Seas (IMO number 9697753).

(T) Radiance of the Seas (IMO number 9195195).

(U) Serenade of the Seas (IMO number 9228344).

(V) Eclipse (IMO number 9404314).

(W) Millennium (IMO number 9189419).

(X) Solstice (IMO number 9362530).

(Y) Norwegian Bliss (IMO number 9751509).

(Z) Norwegian Encore (IMO number 9751511).

(AA) Norwegian Jewel (IMO number 9304045).

(BB) Norwegian Spirit (IMO number 9141065).

(CC) Norwegian Sun (IMO number 9218131).

(DD) Ocean Victory (IMO number 9868869).

(EE) Pacific Princess (IMO number 9187887).

(FF) Pacific World (IMO number 9000259).

(GG) Quantum of the Seas (IMO number 9549463).

(HH) Queen Elizabeth (IMO number 9477438).

(II) Disney Wonder (IMO number 9126819).

(JJ) Regatta (IMO number 9156474).

(KK) Roald Amundsen (IMO number 9813072).

(LL) Ruby Princess (IMO number 9378462).

(MM) Sapphire Princess (IMO number 9228186).

(NN) Scenic Eclipse (IMO number 9797371).

(OO) Seabourn Odyssey (IMO number 9417086).

(PP) Seabourn Venture 2 (IMO 9862023).

(QQ) Seven Seas Mariner (IMO number 9210139).

(RR) Silver Shadow (IMO number 9192167).

(SS) Silver Wind (IMO number 8903935).

(TT) Star Breeze (IMO number 8807997).

(UU) Sylvia Earle (IMO number 9872327).

(VV) Westerdam (IMO number 9226891).

(WW) L’Austral (IMO number 9502518).

(XX) Silver Muse (IMO number 9784350).

(YY) Viking Orion (IMO number 9796250).

(b) Criteria .—A roundtrip voyage of a covered cruise ship transporting passengers between a port or place in the State of Alaska and a port or place in the State of Washington shall be deemed to have made a stop in a port or place of Canada, and deemed a foreign voyage, for purposes of the law of the United States, if—

(1) during the voyage, the covered cruise ship sends an email containing the information described in subsection (c) to—

(A) the Canada Border Services Agency;

(B) the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection; and

(C) each alien crewman on such voyage who is in possession of a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant visa issued pursuant to subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)); and

(2) the voyage begins not later than February 28, 2022.

(c) Email .—An email described in subsection (b)(1) shall contain the names of each alien crewman described in subparagraph (C) of such subsection.

(d) Employment of Alien Crewmen .—On the date on which a covered cruise ship sends an email to the Canada Border Services Agency in accordance with subsection (b)(1), each alien crewman described in subparagraph (C) of such subsection shall be deemed to have departed the United States, entered Canada, and been readmitted to the United States for purposes of complying with, during the applicable voyage described in subsection (b), the 29-day authorized stay pursuant to their nonimmigrant visas issued pursuant to subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)).

(e) Exception .—Notwithstanding subsection (b), a voyage described in such subsection shall not be deemed a foreign voyage for purposes of section 446 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1446) or any other provision of law relating to levying duties or taxes on goods, including consumables, purchased for use onboard the covered cruise ship.

(f) Applicability .—This section shall not apply to a roundtrip voyage during any period for which the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an order under section 361 or 365 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264 and 268) that requires covered cruise ships to suspend vessel operations.

(g) Duration .—The authority provided under this section shall terminate on the earlier of—

(1) the date on which covered cruise ships are no longer prohibited by the Government of Canada, any political subdivision of Canada, or any port or province of Canada, from entering, berthing, or docking in Canadian waters of the Pacific Coast due to the COVID-19 pandemic; or

(2) March 31, 2022.

SEC. 3. MEDICAL AND SAFETY STANDARDS. [ edit ]

(a) In General .—Chapter 35 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

Ҥ 3510. Additional medical and safety standards [ edit ]

“(a) Automated External Defibrillators .—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and other appropriate Federal agencies, shall promulgate regulations to—

“(1) require that the owner of a vessel to which section 3507 applies install, and maintain in working order, automated external defibrillators on such vessel;

“(2) require that such defibrillators be placed throughout such vessel in clearly designated locations;

“(3) require that such defibrillators are available for passenger and crew access in the event of an emergency; and

“(4) require that automated external defibrillators, or adjacent equipment, allow passengers and crew to easily contact medical staff of the vessel.

“(b) Definition of Owner .—In this section, the term ‘owner’ has the meaning given such term in section 3507.”.

(b) Clerical Amendment .—The analysis for chapter 35 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“Sec. 3510. Additional medical and safety standards.”.

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Recent Prescott Grants Supporting Seal and Sea Lion Conservation Partners

March 21, 2024

Our marine mammal network partners leverage the Prescott Grant Program's competitive grants to improve their stranding response and investigation capabilities for pinniped conservation.

The John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program provides funding to stranding network participants. It allows them to better respond to marine mammal strandings, improve capacity, and conduct scientific investigations into the causes of stranding events. Since 2001, the program has awarded more than $75.4 million.   

We are proud to highlight the recent accomplishments of organizations that used Prescott Grant funds to respond to and conserve seal and sea lion populations. They are found throughout most of the United States, although they are less abundant in the Southeast. Pinnipeds are important sentinels of aquatic health. Their well being is reflective of natural and human-caused threats in aquatic ecosystems. NOAA Fisheries authorizes these organizations to save sick and injured seals and sea lions, and investigate their health by examining live and dead stranded pinnipeds.

National: University of Illinois Marine Mammal Diagnostic Service

The Marine Mammal Diagnostic Service at the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine is a comprehensive pathology and molecular diagnostic service. For more than 15 years, the laboratory has provided critical pathogen testing to network members across the country.

Each year the Marine Mammal Diagnostic Service performs close to 1,500 diagnostic tests on marine mammal samples. The lab tests for pathogens such as Brucella , phocine distemper virus, and herpesvirus. A Prescott grant in 2022 supported the creation of a new diagnostic test for Brucella . The diseases caused by these pathogens can weaken and kill marine mammals. In rare cases, these pathogens can spread between species to also infect pets or humans. Better understanding these diseases supports routine necropsy cases and Unusual Mortality Event investigations to identify the cause of death. 

This important work is led by veterinary pathologist and professor, Dr. Katie Colegrove. In 2023, Dr. Colegrove led an advanced necropsy training workshop in Hawaii with NOAA Fisheries’ Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program . It covered evaluating animals for human-caused trauma and infectious diseases, such as toxoplasmosis , which is one of the biggest threats to the species. Through this workshop, participants improved their ability to identify illness and injury in Hawaiian monk seal carcasses. This knowledge is important in determining cause of death and understanding the threats to this endangered species.

In 2022 and 2023, the University of Illinois received two Prescott grants totalling $178,494. They provided a total match amount of $72,544.

“The Prescott grant program has provided critical salary support for the technical staff that complete molecular testing for marine mammal pathogens,” said Dr. Colegrove. “This funding enables our program to provide rapid testing for important marine mammal pathogens increasing our understanding of the role that disease plays in pinniped populations.”

Greater Atlantic Region: Marine Mammals of Maine

Marine Mammals of Maine responds to seal strandings along 2,500 miles of Maine’s coastline, including remote islands along the state’s southern coast from Kittery to Rockland. The organization works in response, rehabilitation, outreach and education, and research. One of their most important outreach activities is educating the public about respectful and responsible viewing practices of seals, particularly during Maine’s busy tourist season.

To ensure adequate response coverage throughout the Greater Atlantic Region, Marine Mammals of Maine provides rehabilitation for animals rescued in Maine and other states. It also supports other network partners—including College of the Atlantic, Seacoast Science Center, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare—that do not have seal rehabilitation capabilities. They also conduct pinniped health assessment monitoring in the Northwest Atlantic working with many other stranding network partners.

In 2022, Marine Mammals of Maine—along with their stranding partners, and state and federal agencies—responded to an Unusual Mortality Event involving harbor and gray seals along the coast of Maine. The UME was attributed to spillover events of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus from infected birds to seals. The event involved 181 seals—including 143 harbor seals, 28 gray seals, and 10 seals of unidentified species.

From 2020 to 2023 Marine Mammals of Maine received Prescott grants totalling $399,723 in federal funding. The organization provided matching funding for these awards totalling $283,726.

“Prescott has helped support so many aspects of our organization to build capacity. The biggest impact is supporting our organization to have the foundation to be the boots on the ground answering the call for animals in need that are reported along Maine’s coastline,” said Executive Director Lynda Doughty. “We know it is not about saving every animal, but helping the ones that need help, especially since they don’t have a voice to do so.”

Pacific Islands Region: The Marine Mammal Center, Ke Kai Ola Hawaiian Monk Seal Hospital

The Marine Mammal Center is the world’s largest marine mammal hospital. Since 1975, they have rescued more than 24,000 marine mammals along the coast of California and in Hawaii. The main hospital and headquarters in Sausalito, California responds to stranded marine mammals along 600 miles of coastline from Mendocino County to San Luis Obispo County. The second center, Ke Kai Ola Hawaiian Monk Seal Hospital, is located in Kona, Hawai’i. Ke Kai Ola responds to and rehabilitates stranded Hawaiian monk seals. This hospital is the only long-term care facility for the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. It admits stranded monk seal patients from across the 1,500 mile Hawaiian archipelago .

From 2020 to 2023, Ke Kai Ola Hawaiian Monk Seal Hospital received Prescott grants totalling $392,030. The facilities also contributed grant match amounts totalling $382,923. Associate Director, Hawai’i Conservation Medicine Dr. Sophie Whoriskey, states, “Thanks to a recent Prescott award, we were able to purchase a new X-ray machine to replace our ailing older machine. This piece of equipment has proved critical in identifying life-threatening hook ingestions in our Hawaiian monk seal patients. With fishery interactions being a leading cause of death for Hawaiian monk seals in the main Hawaiian Islands, this funding was crucial to ensure this life-saving diagnostic tool continues to be readily available.”

West Coast Region: Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance

The Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance investigates the cause of death for marine mammals that wash ashore in Los Angeles County. Before this organization was created, many seal and sea lion carcasses were buried or dragged out to sea before they could be thoroughly examined. Now, scientists can better assess the threats to marine mammals in the area. From 2020–2024, the organization documented nearly 200 dead stranded seals and sea lions.

In 2023, Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance assisted in the investigation of animals that died during the 2023 domoic acid event in Southern California . During this large-scale harmful algal bloom event, the Alliance responded to 80 carcasses in 40 days. They collected and submitted important samples to effectively document the extent of the event. 

From 2021 to 2023, Prescott Grant Program awarded Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance grants totalling $219,112, for which they provided a total match amount of  $73,148.

"As a new, upstart non-profit providing mortality response and investigations in Los Angeles County, without the Prescott funding, Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance would not have been able to exist and maintain growth,” said Keith Matassa. “Funding from the Prescott Grant was critical for Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance to gain traction and grow this program over the past 3 years.”

Alaska Region: Alaska SeaLife Center

Since 1998, Alaska Sealife Center has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and examining live and dead marine mammals. The Center is located in Seward, Alaska and is the only marine mammal rehabilitation facility in Alaska. It admits animals that have stranded throughout all of Alaska’s 33,000 miles of shoreline, which is more shoreline than the continental United States.

Given Alaska’s vast wilderness, more than 20 stranding network partners—including universities, tribal communities, and local governments—work to recover and transport many of the stranded live animals admitted to the Center for rehabilitation. 

In 2023, the Alaska SeaLife Center hosted their third workshop about remote marine mammal stranding response, which included participation by the Seldovia Village Tribe. Participants were trained in assessing animals in the field, data collection, and live animal triage and transport. These workshops are critical to ensure effective marine mammal stranding response throughout Alaska. The Center can’t respond to every animal on their own, so partnership of local communities is critical to strengthen the response ability of the wider Alaska stranding network. 

From 2021 to 2023, the Prescott Grant Program provided awards totalling $280,083 in federal funding. The Alaska SeaLife Center provided total matching funds of $93,892.

“The NOAA Prescott Grant Program offers essential support for the Wildlife Response department at the Alaska SeaLife Center. Thanks to the grant, we are able to employ animal care staff year-round, support housing for interns, and train reponse partners,” said Jane Belovarac, Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Curator, “It's helped the SeaLife Center become a reliable resource in Alaska for marine mammal stranding response.”

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S. 3683 (117 th ): Alaska Tourism Restoration Extension Act

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A bill to amend the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act to revise the authority for voyages deemed to have made a stop in a port or place of Canada and deemed a foreign voyage for the purposes of the law of the United States, and for other purposes.

The bill’s titles are written by its sponsor.

Sponsor and status

Lisa Murkowski

Sponsor. Senator for Alaska. Republican.

This bill was introduced on February 17, 2022, in a previous session of Congress, but it did not receive a vote.

Although this bill was not enacted, its provisions could have become law by being included in another bill. It is common for legislative text to be introduced concurrently in multiple bills (called companion bills), re-introduced in subsequent sessions of Congress in new bills, or added to larger bills (sometimes called omnibus bills).

1 Cosponsor (1 Republican)

S. 3683 (117th) was a bill in the United States Congress.

A bill must be passed by both the House and Senate in identical form and then be signed by the President to become law.

Bills numbers restart every two years. That means there are other bills with the number S. 3683. This is the one from the 117 th Congress.

This bill was introduced in the 117 th Congress, which met from Jan 3, 2021 to Jan 3, 2023. Legislation not passed by the end of a Congress is cleared from the books.

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