CHAPTER 112
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version
1
CHAPTER 112
( HCR 5 )
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION expressing support for the Jones Act and commemorating its centennial
anniversary.
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth's 1,600-mile-long network of navigable waterways, including access to two
of the nation's largest rivers, the Mississippi River and the Ohio River, makes it a critical hub in the transportation
system of the nation; and
WHEREAS, the current global pandemic has demonstrated the critical importance of maintaining resilient
domestic industries and transportation services to the citizens and workforce of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the Jones Act and codified in Title 46 of the
United States Code, requires that vessels carrying cargo between locations in the United States be owned by
American companies, crewed by American mariners, and built in American shipyards; and
WHEREAS, the United States' ability to project and deploy forces globally, and supply and maintain military
installations domestically, depends on the civilian fleet of the Jones Act vessels and mariners; and
WHEREAS, mariners aboard Jones Act vessels strengthen homeland security as added eyes and ears
monitoring the nation's 95,000 miles of shoreline and 25,000 miles of navigable inland waterways; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth is home to 20,730 maritime jobs supported by the Jones Act, the fifth-highest
per capita among all states, that generate $1.25 billion in income for workers; and
WHEREAS, maritime industry jobs create ladders of opportunity through high-paying jobs and careers that
offer significant advancement without generally necessitating advanced formal education and extensive student loans;
and
WHEREAS, the more than 40,000-vessel-strong Jones Act fleet supports nearly 650,000 high-paying jobs and
over $154 billion in economic output nationally, and $5.1 billion to the economy of the Commonwealth;
NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the
Senate concurring therein:
Section 1. The General Assembly affirms its support for the Jones Act and celebrates its centennial
anniversary.
Section 2. The General Assembly encourages the United States Congress to maintain the provisions of the
Jones Act which have fostered a strong domestic maritime industry that is critical to the Commonwealth's and the
nation's economic prosperity and national security.
Section 3. The Clerk of the House of Representatives is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to
the members of Kentucky's Congressional Delegation.
Signed by Governor March 27, 2023.