The Cruise Line International Association’s (CLIA) lawsuit against Juneau is headed for trial, according to the Juneau Empire, which cited court filings that showed that mediation efforts had failed. A trial date has not yet been set.

In 2016, CLIA challenged Juneau that its passenger fees were in violation of federal law and also that they were not spent appropriately.

The City and Borough of Juneau collects $8 per passenger. CLIA charged that the funds were spent on projects that had no relationship to the cost or services provided to cruise ships calling in Juneau, and that the fees were excessive and illegal.

Juneau claims the fees are be used to pay for services and infrastructure benefitting the passengers and the vessels, including restrooms, bus staging areas, seawalks, crossing guards and more.

Local sources said that if CLIA’s charges are upheld by the court, such a decision could affect passenger fees in other Alaska destinations as well.

CLIA describes itself as a non-profit entity tasked with promoting the cruise industry.