STAND. COM. REP. NO.  593-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2024

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2024 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROPELLER GUARDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect ocean users as well as ocean and shoreline ecosystems by requiring all motorized recreational vessels operating in nearshore waters to have properly functioning propeller guards or similar technology installed.

Ho‘omana Pono, LLC and one individual supported this measure. Lahaina Divers, Inc., Hawaii Goes Fishing, Hunting Farming and Fishing Association, and numerous individuals testified in opposition to this measure. The Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to December 24, 2088, to facilitate further discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2024, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2024, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

KANIELA ING, Chair