STAND. COM. REP. NO. 125-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.B. No. 1975

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1975 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to transfer small boat harbors, boating, ocean recreation, and coastal areas programs from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) back to the Department of Transportation (DOT).

The Ocean Tourism Coalition, Activities & Attractions Association of Hawaii, Quicksilver Charters, and Calypso Charters supported this measure. DLNR, DOT, and The Nature Conservancy opposed this measure.

Your Committee recognizes the concerns of DOT and DLNR regarding the transfer of small boat harbors, boating, ocean recreation, and coastal areas programs from DLNR back to DOT. Your Committee also recognizes that some ocean tourism operators support the transfer of these boating and ocean recreation functions to DOT and describe the transfer as a beneficial change and a better fit. Should the Committees on Water and Land and Transportation consider this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that they address the concerns of DOT and DLNR.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to January 1, 2050, to promote 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 Labor & Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1975, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1975, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Water & Land and Transportation.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair