Federal ruling blocks Hawaii's climate change tourist tax on cruise ships

Key Highlights

• They also argued it would make cruises more expensive.
• The lawsuit notes the law authorizes counties to collect an additional 3% surcharge, bringing the total to 14% of prorated fares. The levy increases rates on hotel room and vacation rental stays but also imposes a new 11% tax on the gross fares paid by a cruise ship’s passenger, prorated for the number of days the vessels are in Hawaii ports.
• The lawsuit notes the law authorizes counties to collect an additional 3% surcharge, bringing the total to 14% of prorated fares. In the nation’s first such levy to help cope with a warming planet, Hawaii Gov.
• Josh Green signed legislation in May that raises tax revenue to deal with eroding shorelines, wildfires and other climate problems.
• Officials estimate the tax would generate nearly $100 million annually. U. S.