STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3505

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 11

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 11 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO AUTHORIZE THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD TO ADOPT AND ENFORCE REGULATIONS FOR INCREASED SAFETY STANDARDS FOR HELICOPTERS AND SMALL AIRCRAFT THAT CHARGE FEES FOR CARRYING PASSENGERS ON RECREATIONAL FLIGHTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the United States Congress to authorize the National Transportation Safety Board to adopt and enforce regulations for increased safety standards for helicopters and small aircraft that charge fees for carrying passengers on recreational flights.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of the Mayor, County of Hawai‘i; Hawaii Island Coalition Malama Pono; Windward Coalition; O‘ahu Tour Helicopter Safety and Noise Inter-Action Group; and seven individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that there have been two fatal aircraft crashes in Hawaii since April 2019. Your Committee further finds that under federal law, the Federal Aviation Administration has the authority to prescribe regulations on the flight of aircraft, including protecting individuals and property on the ground and preventing collisions. Following several recent crashes in Hawaii, the National Transportation Safety Board urged the Federal Aviation Administration to increase regulations for aircraft and air tour operators. However, the Federal Aviation Administration has declined to make changes to improve the safety of charter flights and parachuting service operations as recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board. Your Committee finds that the National Transportation Safety Board's recommended regulations for charter flights and parachuting service operations are necessary to address the increasing safety risks and fatalities caused by these types of for-hire tour operations; however, only Congress may grant authority to the National Transportation Safety Board to adopt and enforce safety regulations.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 11 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair