HI, AK Reps Introduce Bill to Exempt States from TSA Fee Increases

Big Island Now stock photo.

Reps. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01) and Don Young (AK-At Large District) introduced bipartisan legislation today to exempt Hawaiʻi, Alaska and communities that rely on essential air service as subsidized by the U.S. Department of Transportation, from increases in TSA air travel fees.

The Passenger Fee Restructuring Exemptions Act (HR1782) recognizes the unique reliance on air travel that residents of Hawaiʻi and Alaska face by lowering the states’ TSA fee to $2.50 for interstate direct flights.

Congress raised the national TSA fee to $5.60 in late 2013, and could increase the fee to $6.60 in FY2018.

“The doubling of the TSA fee since 2013 has had a disproportionate, negative impact on Hawaiʻi residents and businesses who rely on air travel as the only available mode of transportation for everyday necessities like commerce, healthcare, education, and more,” said Rep.  Gabbard. “As Congress considers raising the TSA fee again, our bipartisan legislation will help relieve this cost burden by exempting Hawaiʻi and Alaska, and other communities who rely solely on essential air service, from this tax.”

“Hawaiʻi and Alaska share unique geographic challenges that make our dependence on air travel a necessity,” said Rep. Hanabusa. “As such, any increase in TSA fees disproportionately hurts our residents, tourists and businesses alike. This bill redresses that wrong by exempting Hawaiʻi and Alaska from the disparate impact of these fee increases,”

“Simply put, current aviation security fees disproportionately affect the residents of my state due to our unique reliance on air travel,” said Rep.  Young. “I have opposed fee hikes in the past and have consistently worked with my Hawaiian colleagues to alleviate the hardships placed on those without transportation alternatives. This bipartisan legislation will address this inequity and allow our residents, who depend on air travel, to access and grow their economies without being overburdened by the growth of government fees.”