STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1440

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 791

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 791, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VESSELS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend provisions regarding the designation, impoundment, and disposal of unauthorized, abandoned, grounded, and derelict vessels on state property or in the waters of the State to facilitate faster responses of these types of proceedings.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

Your Committee finds that unauthorized, abandoned, grounded, and derelict vessels pose significant risks to natural resources and public health and safety. Your Committee further finds that under existing law, by the time the Department of Land and Natural Resources can begin to remove these types of vessels, the condition of the vessel has often deteriorated, further complicating removal efforts and increasing potential dangers. This measure amends provisions regarding the removal and impoundment of such vessels on state property or in state waters to facilitate faster responses by the Department.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 791, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair