STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1545

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 434

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 434, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AIRCRAFT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to help ensure the safe operation of tour aircraft.

Specifically, this measure requires the Director of Transportation to adopt administrative rules that require applicants for tour aircraft operations permits to:

(1) Have commercial general liability insurance coverage of not less than $10,000,000; and

(2) Provide a report to the Department of Transportation of each tour operation that occurred during the duration of the expiring permit.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Oahu Tour Helicopter Safety and Noise Inter‑Action Group and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Hawaii Helicopter Association, Helicopter Association International, and Jack Harter Helicopters.

Your Committee finds that this measure will help to minimize the number of future helicopter and small aircraft accidents and mitigate the potential losses resulting from these accidents.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 434, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair