Visitor Industry

Our Visitor Industry is recovering and growing, and our laws must keep up with our ever-changing economy. If re-elected, I will continue to pass legislation and budgets that reflect my support of our visitor industry.

 

In 2021 when Canada refused to let cruise ships visit their ports, potentially crippling Alaska's summer cruise season, I worked hand in hand with Senator Jesse Kiehl and our Federal delegation, to produce a resolution from the Alaska State Legislature urging President Biden to exempt cruise ships from the Passenger Service Vessel Act. 

 

Over the years, I have helped secure funding in our budget for the Alaska Travel Industry Association. We need to be able to market ourselves to the world in order to get engaged and excited visitors.

 

Lastly, I've sponsored legislation, HB 44 in 2020, allowing locally-owned ATMs to collect fair international fees. The previous law meant those owners could not receive fees from the thousands of international tourists that come through our district each year. Thankfully, the bill passed both the House and the Senate unanimously. I also carried HB 19 in 2018 which successfully allowed the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce to create a race classic fundraiser for the Race to Alaska.