STAND. COM. REP. NO.  740

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 993

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 993 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII MARINE HIGHWAY SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to develop alternative means of transportation between islands in the State by:

(1)  Establishing the Hawaii Marine Highway System (System);

(2)  Requiring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to administer the System by:

(A)  Developing a comprehensive long-range plan for the development and improvement of the System;

(B)  Constructing, purchasing, or leasing ferry terminal facilities throughout the State; and

(C)  Repairing and maintaining ferry terminal facilities throughout the State;

and

(3)  Creating the Hawaii Marine Highway System Fund within the state treasury, which funds are to be used for the operation and maintenance of the System.

     DOT, Department of Budget and Finance, and a concerned individual provided comments on this bill.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2030, to encourage further discussion; and

(2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 993, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 993, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair