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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2320 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to helicopters.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that helicopters pose severe risks to local communities and have increasingly disrupted the lives of residents in neighborhoods across the State. On April 29, 2019, the pilot and two passengers were killed when a tour helicopter crashed on Oneawa Street, a busy residential roadway in Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii. Debris and burning aircraft parts falling from crashing tour helicopters on surrounding yards, street, and homes pose grave safety concerns to those in affected residential neighborhoods. The legislature notes that helicopter noise as a result of commercial air tour flights over residential areas in Hawaii have become increasingly problematic in recent years, causing many residents to voice complaints relating to noise, altitude, and public safety.
While many air tour companies would like to be good neighbors, it is close to impossible for them to police each individual pilot, as they are operating in heavily trafficked airspace. It would be helpful for all concerned if the information about who is flying and their destination is readily and routinely available. The legislature therefore finds that routine documentation through public record is necessary to address the lack of transparency on the part of helicopter operators and hold these operators accountable for their actions.
The purpose of this Act is to increase transparency regarding helicopter operations by requiring all private helicopter operators to provide certain information to the department of transportation on a public website, prior to the operation of any private helicopter.
SECTION 2. Chapter 261, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§261- Helicopter
operation; required information.
(a) Any other law to the contrary withstanding, no
person shall operate, cause to be operated, or authorize to be operated any private
helicopter unless the following information is provided to the airports division
of the department prior to operation:
(1) Identification of
the pilot;
(2) Identification of
the type of helicopter to be utilized;
(3) Projected takeoff
time; and
(4) Projected flight plan.
(b) The information required pursuant to subsection
(a) shall be provided to the department through a public website to be posted for
a period of thirty days.
(c) This section shall apply to all private
helicopters operating in the State, including but not limited to helicopters
engaged in:
(1) Recreational activities;
(2) Commercial
purposes, such as private tour operations; or
(3) The business of
motion picture and television film production, as defined by the director of
taxation."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Helicopter Operations; Private Helicopters; Requirements; Department of Transportation; Flights
Description:
Requires all private helicopter operators to provide certain information to the department of transportation on a public website, prior to the operation of any private helicopter.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.