STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1154

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 649

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 649, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SMALL BOAT HARBORS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Small Boat Harbor Commercial Vessel Special Fund;

(2) Increase moorage fees for commercial vessels;

(3) Require that revenue from the fee increase be used by the Department of Land and Natural Resources for improvements that primarily benefit commercial vessels that utilize state small boat harbors; and

(4) Authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds, with debt service to be paid from special funds, for repairs of various small boat harbors.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Holo Holo Charters, Inc.; Splashers Ocean Adventures Inc. DBA Kona Snorkel Trips; Sea Sport Cruises, Inc.; Body Glove Hawaii; Extended Horizons Inc.; Ocean Tourism Coalition; Sea Paradise Scuba, Inc.; Sail Maui; RED Hospitality and Leisure Hawaii, LLC; Banyan Tree Divers Maui; Hula Girl Sailing; Sea Maui LLC; Fun Charters, Inc.; Sea Maui Surf; Sailing Shipps, Ltd.; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Trilogy Excursions; Cafe Jai, LLC; Maui Classic Charters; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Department of Land and Natural Resources.

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. 649, 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