STAND. COM. REP. NO. 112

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 1159

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. 1159 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL HARBORS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify the requirement of vessels to evacuate a commercial harbor upon order by the harbor master during an emergency and to establish penalties for noncompliance.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Longline Association; Holo Holo Charters Inc.; Captain Andy's Sailing Adventures; and Blue Dolphin Charters.

Your Committee finds that proper evacuations during emergencies could help mitigate damage to port infrastructure and may support efficient restoration of port operations. This measure will increase safety and operations at commercial harbors by ensuring that persons in charge of vessels follow the harbor master's order to evacuate a commercial harbor.

Your Committee notes that due to the smaller nature of Hawaii longline vessels, forcing these vessels into the potential path of a dangerous hurricane puts lives at risk. Your Committee will continue to work with stakeholders as this measure moves through the legislative process to examine potentially expanding exemptions, particularly for vessels with approval from the United States Coast Guard.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of 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. 1159, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1159, 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