STAND. COM. REP. NO. 850-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2477

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2477, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL OCEAN RECREATION OPERATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Revise provisions relating to boating and ocean recreation fees and permits; and

(2) Require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to issue all new commercial use permits for commercial ocean recreation activity in an Ocean Recreation Management Area that are not renewals or reissuances by public auction.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Fishing & Boating Association; Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii; Fair Wind, Inc.; Kapalua Kai Sailing, Inc. DBA Hula Girl Sailing Charters; Crystal Seahorse LTD DBA Shangri-La Sailing Charters; Ocean Tourism Coalition; Banyan Tree Divers Maui; Splashers Ocean Adventures DBA Kona Snorkel Trips; Kona Coast Expeditions; Kona Dream Sportfishing; Gemini Charters; Lahaina Divers Inc.; Komohana Charters LLC; Makai Adventures; Na Pali Experience; Anela Kai Catamarans, Inc.; Islands Beach Activities, Inc.; Explore Kauai Scuba; Woodbridge Inc. DBA Waikiki Sailing Company; Mona H. Incorporated, DBA Bwana Sportfishing; Holo Holo Charters; Kona Zodiac Ltd dba Captain Zodiac; Kona Honu Divers; and numerous indiviudals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Kua‘āina Ulu ‘Auamo; Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher; Maui Chamber of Commerce; and one individual.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2477, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair