STAND. COM. REP. NO.  590

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 189

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Transportation and Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 189, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CRUISE SHIP FEES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure that cruise ships appropriately reimburse the State to compensate for their use of small boat harbors by requiring the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to provide an annual report to the Legislature regarding the total costs incurred by DLNR in addressing the usage activities of cruise ships at state small boat harbors.

     DLNR did not support this bill.  The Hawaii Boaters Political Action Association submitted comments on this measure.

     Hawaii's small boat harbors play a vital role in both recreational and commercial boating activities, often serving as landing areas for cruise ship passengers.  However, these harbors are in need of drastic repair and maintenance.  Many in the boating community have complained that fees and other charges need to be increased to help DLNR deal with the expenses incurred in repairing and maintaining their facilities.

     Your Committees believe that additional information regarding the costs incurred by DLNR in addressing the usage activities of cruise ships at Hawaii's small boat harbors will be a valuable tool for the State in determining if fees need to be raised.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 189, H.D. 1, and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________ KEN ITO, Chair

____________________________ JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair