STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1800

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1159

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1159, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a Commercial Harbors Emergency Evacuation Working Group; and

(2) Require a report to the Legislature.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Matson Navigation Company, Inc.; and Hawaii Longline Association.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency.

Your Committees find that it is essential that commercial harbor users evacuate commercial harbors upon the orders of the Harbor Master. However, unclear orders and procedures may lead some vessels to remain in the harbor, causing damages and impeding the delivery of cargo, which is critical to the local economy. Clear evacuation requirements, plans, and penalties are therefore critical to ensuring public safety and minimizing damage during an emergency. Accordingly, this measure establishes a working group to review and evaluate current emergency evacuation regulations.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1159, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair