STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 108
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.B. No. 1158
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1158 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREFIGHTING AT COMMERCIAL HARBORS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The
purpose of this measure is to
limit civil liability for private individuals who assist in providing
firefighting services in and around commercial harbors and waterfront
facilities.
Your Committee finds that there are privately owned assets and vessels equipped with fire monitors and water cannons that could be used in fighting fires in and around waterfront facilities. However, there have been instances where private individuals responsible for these assets and vessels have declined to assist county fire departments in providing firefighting services because of concerns over possible civil liability. This measure seeks to facilitate participation from private individuals who can provide assistance to county fire departments in certain situations by limiting liability except for damages as may result from gross negligence or wanton acts or omissions.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that the limitation of civil liability is for individuals who render firefighting services with a firefighting vessel;
(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1158, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1158, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Public Safety.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,
|
|
|
____________________________ DARIUS KILA, Chair |
|
|
|
|