STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2034

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2903

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Transportation and International Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2903 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR SECURITY AT HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to make an emergency appropriation to replace security funds that were used to cover the costs associated with the operations and maintenance of the outbound baggage handling and explosive detection systems.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and Airlines Committee of Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that new baggage handling and explosive detection systems were installed by the State at Honolulu International Airport to move the baggage screening from the ticket lobbies to the baggage make-up areas.  The new systems require an operations and maintenance contract to ensure trouble-free movement of baggage from the ticket lobbies to the aircraft in time for its departure.  This critical service provides system troubleshooting, repairs, and manufacturer's recommended maintenance to the baggage handling and explosive detection systems that is beyond the capabilities of state staff.  The new equipment is required by federal regulations so that all checked baggage is screened for explosives and other hazardous materials prior to placement on the aircraft.  The cost to carry out these new procedures was unanticipated by the Department because the airlines previously absorbed the cost of operating and maintaining the new baggage screening process.  To address the unanticipated costs, a contract was funded using funds from the fiscal year 2013-2014 security appropriation, since the system performs a security function.

     Your Committee finds that security funding should be replaced immediately to prevent interruption of critical security services at Honolulu International Airport, especially as the security contract expires on February 15, 2014.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2903 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and International Affairs,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair