Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations and Economic Development and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 2309 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the operation within the waters of the State of any vessel or watercraft unless it is equipped with a certified radio or emergency position indicating radio beacon.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and two private individuals. Testimony in opposition was received from the EXPEDITIONS, Kauai Sea Tours, and Maui Ocean Activities.

Your Committees find that this measure has the potential to drastically reduce search and rescue missions at sea. A certified radio or emergency beacon would immediately enable authorities to pinpoint the location of the person, whose life could be saved by having such equipment on board.

In view of the opposition from near shore recreational companies, your Committees have amended this measure by specifying that the radio or beacon is required only if the vessel is more than one mile from shore.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations and Economic Development and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2309, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2309, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.