HB1914

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1914
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that shipwrecked vessels represent a dangerous threat to the ocean environment, potentially damaging coral reefs and other vital parts of our ocean ecosystem. They may also pose a danger to other ships traveling in the vicinity of the wreck.

The legislature further finds that since the costs of disposing of shipwrecked vessels are high, many individuals abandon their vessels. The cost and responsibility to dispose of such vessels then falls upon the boating division of the department of land natural resources. The average annual amount of abandoned vessels far exceeds the amount of resources available to the boating division to dispose of these vessels. This results in a situation where shipwrecked and abandoned vessels litter the waterways of our state.

The purpose of this Act is to reduce the amount of shipwrecked and abandoned vessels in Hawaii's waterways by prohibiting a person from mooring a boat at a state small boat harbor unless the person has obtained sufficient insurance to cover boat removal costs should the boat run aground.

SECTION 2. Section 200-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"§200-10 Permits and fees for state small boat harbors. (a) No person shall moor a vessel in a state small boat harbor without:

(1) First obtaining a use permit from the department; [~~and~~]

(2) Obtaining insurance that provides sufficient coverage for vessel removal if the vessel runs aground or is otherwise rendered immobile. The chairperson may adopt rules necessary to enforce this paragraph; and

[~~(2)~~] (3) Being the owner of the vessel."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________