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Posted: Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 4:31 AM HST

Judge throws out legal challenge to shipping law

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — A federal judge has thrown out a constitutional challenge to the Jones Act, a law that requires domestic shipping to be performed by vessels owned and flagged by the United States. U.S. District Judge David Ezra issued his ruling Tuesday, saying the lawsuit's plaintiffs, the owners of former and current businesses in Hawaii, do not have legal standing to sue. The lawsuit was filed by John Carroll, a Honolulu lawyer who is running for the Republican nomination for governor next year. At a hearing Monday, Ezra said the lawsuit stated generalized grievances best resolved by Congress, not specific claims that courts can adjudicate. Carroll argued the law harms Hawaii because it results in higher prices for goods shipped into the state. (Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved)