THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1505
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to transportation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that illegal or harmful activity throughout the Pacific Ocean has been increasing. In many cases, foreign vessels have entered new areas of the Pacific Ocean to traffic illegal commodities. Other foreign vessels have frequently entered other nations' protected areas to collect resources to the detriment of local communities and are beginning to scout waters near Hawaii to conduct undersea mining that will irreparably harm Hawaii's undersea ecosystems.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to prohibit the issuance of permits for mooring in Hawaii harbors for vessels engaged in illegal activity or operating to the detriment of Hawaii.

SECTION 2. Chapter 266, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§266- Prohibitions. The department of transportation shall not issue any permit for the mooring of any vessel that has engaged in:

(1) Activity known to violate any federal, state, or county law or rule pertaining to environmental protection or maritime transportation;

(2) The trafficking of illegal contraband; or

(3) The collection or extraction of undersea minerals."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Mooring; Permits; Prohibitions

Description:

Prohibits the issuance of permits for the mooring of vessels engaged in certain activities.

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