STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1054-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   S.B. No. 2803

      S.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Business, to which was referred S.B. No. 2803, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THRILL CRAFT OPERATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to maintain Hawaii's reputation as a world class filming destination while protecting Hawaii's fragile ocean environment by making permanent the exemption from the prohibition on the operation of thrill craft in state waters for film production permit holders.

The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and Department of Land and Natural Resources testified in support of this bill.

     Hawaii has a global reputation as a world class filming destination because of its world renowned surf, pristine waters, and expert water safety professionals.  Many film shoots include water scenes that use thrill craft for water safety purposes, for use as picture vessels, for the transport of cast and crew members, or for camera positioning.  While the operation of thrill craft does have safety risks, the safety record of thrill craft used as tools in film shoots has been impeccable.  According to both the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and Department of Land and Natural Resources, 196 film permits for the use of jet skis for filming operations were issued over the past four fiscal years and, to date, there have been no reports of any incidents or accidents involving those jet skis.  Making permanent the exemption that allows film production permit holders to use thrill craft in non-designated areas of State waters will help to maintain Hawaii's reputation as a world class filming destination.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Business that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2803, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Business,

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair