Alaska Governor Palin Signs House Bill 217 in Anchorage

June 4, 2007, Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today signed House Bill 217 into law. HB 217, sponsored by Representative Lindsey Holmes, relates to the disclosure language in the Cruise Ship Initiative.

As written, the law requires cruise lines to disclose the commission rate that Alaska tour operators pay to have their tours sold onboard the cruise ships. This disclosure does not threaten or regulate the cruise industry, but it does pose a significant competitive threat to the Alaska tour businesses which contract with the cruise lines. The required disclosure exposes the price structures of these local businesses which could lead to unfair price undercutting.

HB 217 offers an alternative to the required disclosure. The alternative allows a choice between disclosing commission rates or disclosing that the tours featured onboard a cruise ship pay for that advertisement, and a statement reminding passengers that they are free to book alternative tours on their own along with information to help them do so.

“I applaud Representative Holmes for sponsoring this legislation,” said Governor Sarah Palin. “The Cruise Ship Initiative requires disclosures for businesses. This bill simply amends the disclosure requirements in order to make them function much better.”

HB 217 passed the House 27-10 and the Senate 20-0.

Source: Alaska Governor

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