Hawaii cruise tax halted by federal court injunction ruling decision

newYou can now listen to Fox News articles.

A judge has blocked Hawaii’s green fee bill, which would have significantly increased tourism taxes to help fund climate change mitigation this year.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), together with cruise ship suppliers, Lawsuit filed in early September As Fox News Digital previously reported, the Aloha State is challenging state tax and county finance officials.

On December 31, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an injunction pending appeal.

Historical building begins charging foreign tourists amid crowded battles

Temporarily block enforcement of the cruise ship tax. Appeal progressesThe Associated Press reported.

The Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) was designed to increase taxes on travelers who: Stay at a hotel in Hawaii According to the text of the bill, cruise ships would be subject to a new 11% tax.

Aerial view of Hawaii with a cruise ship on the horizon

Hawaii’s cruise ship tax, known as the green fee, has been temporarily blocked by a Ninth Circuit injunction after the Cruise Lines International Association filed a lawsuit challenging the 11% tourism tax. (St. Petersburg)

Toni Schwartz, a spokeswoman for the Hawaii Attorney General’s Office, told The Associated Press that the office “will remain.”[s] We believe that Act 96 is legal and will be vindicated when the appeal is heard on the merits. ”

Fox News Digital has reached out to CLIA for comment.

A portion of the proceeds raised will be donated to the “Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience Special Fund”.

The association previously told FOX News Digital that it “believes.”[s] extension violates both conditions united states constitution It imposes an additional financial burden on passengers who are already subject to hefty fees and taxes, while also having to comply with federal law. ”

Click here to sign up for our lifestyle newsletter

The association also points out the following benefits: cruise tourism serving as a major economic driver for the state.

“We continue to believe that Act 96 is legal and will be vindicated when the appeal is heard on the merits,” a spokesperson for the Hawaii Attorney General’s Office said. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

“If we extend TAT to cruise passengers, Block visitors That spending risks stimulating this economic engine, causing job losses and undermining the financial stability of tourism-dependent businesses,” CLIA added.

The lawsuit points out that each county in the state adds its own 3% surcharge on top of its own tax bill. state tax — Total tax will be 14%.

Click here for more lifestyle stories

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to.climate change mitigation According to the bill, a “Special Fund for Resilience” and a “Special Fund for Economic Development and Revitalization” have been established.