STAND. COM. REP. NO.  455

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 993

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, 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, including the construction, purchase, or lease of 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.

     A concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  DOT supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Budget and Finance provided comments.

     Hawaii is an island state that depends, almost exclusively, on air transportation for travel between islands.  Unlike most areas in the continental United States, Hawaii residents cannot drive from one end of the state to the other end using land-based, highway systems.  Hawaii's only "highway" between the islands must be marine-based, and this measure begins the process of using these "marine highways" for the benefit of our citizens.

     While your Committee is aware of the financial uncertainties currently facing marine highway and ferry systems in the States of Alaska and Washington and the need for DOT to gather more comprehensive information on the legal, regulatory, and financial aspects of establishing a marine highway system in Hawaii, the importance of providing this transportation alternative deserves further consideration and discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 993 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair