STAND. COM. REP. NO.602

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 1403

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 1403 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S MARITIME-RELATED USES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to give the Harbors Division of the Department of Transportation greater flexibility to lease its harbor lands and facilities to a broader variety of users.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Transportation, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii's Maritime Committee. Testimony in support of the intent of the measure was submitted by the Hawaii Government Employees Association.

Your Committees find that this measure will expand the definition of activities for which the Harbors Division may lease lands under its control, which will help to diversify harbor revenue. This, in turn, will help reduce the pressure to raise wharfage fees and help keep the cost of goods in Hawaii lower. As the most geographically isolated state in the nation, Hawaii is critically dependent on its harbors and harbor infrastructure for receipt of life-sustaining supplies and as an economic driver with the rapidly growing passenger cruise and ocean tourism industries.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1403 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations,

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CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair