HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	196
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to port workers.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 266, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§266- Port worker advisory committee; established. (a) There is established the port worker advisory committee within the department of transportation. The port worker advisory committee shall make recommendations to the department of transportation on methods to improve state-owned and state‑managed ports. The recommendations shall include suggested policies that:

(1) Increase safety;

(2) Improve the scheduling of workers and shipments; and

(3) Improve operations and efficiency.

The port worker advisory committee may make recommendations on methods to improve harbors.

(b) The port worker advisory committee shall comprise the following seven members:

(1) The deputy director of transportation, harbors division, who shall serve as an ex officio, voting member;

(2) A harbors district manager to be selected by the director of transportation;

(3) The head of a union representing port workers, who shall be invited to be a member by the director of transportation; and

(4) Four port workers to be selected by the governor under section 26-34.

(c) The chairperson of the port worker advisory committee shall be elected by the members from among their membership. A majority of the members of the port worker advisory committee shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business of the port worker advisory committee. A majority vote of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is established shall be necessary to validate any action of the port worker advisory committee.

(d) The port worker advisory committee shall establish a process for port workers to anonymously:

(1) Report challenges faced by port workers; and

(2) Suggested improvements to ports.

(e) The port worker advisory committee shall publish on the webpage of the department of transportation the reported challenges, suggested improvements, and the responsive actions taken by the port worker advisory committee or the department of transportation.

(f) The members of the advisory committee shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, including travel expenses.

(g) The advisory committee may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 for its governance.

(h) The department shall provide necessary staff and other support required by the port worker advisory committee for the performance of its duties.

§266- Department of transportation feedback solicitation. The department of transportation, harbors division shall conduct not less than one public meeting each quarter pursuant to chapter 92 dedicated to soliciting input from port workers on:

(1) Methods to improve ports; and

(2) Problems faced by port workers."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DOT; Harbors; Port Workers; Port Worker Advisory Committee

Description:

Establishes the Port Worker Advisory Committee to make recommendations to the Department of Transportation regarding management of state-owned and state-managed ports. Requires the Department to conduct meetings to solicit input from port workers on methods to improve ports and problems faced by port workers.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.