STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1332

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

 

RE:   H.C.R. No. 86

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 86 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONSIDER REQUIRING THAT EMPLOYEES OF WATERSPORT EXCURSION COMPANIES WHO TAKE CUSTOMERS ON WATERSPORT EXCURSIONS RECEIVE LIFEGUARD TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to ensure the health and safety of customers and workers in the watersports excursion industry by requesting that the Department of Land and Natural Resources consider adopting administrative rules that require that employees who take customers on excursions receive lifeguard training and certification.

 

     Octopus Reef and two individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure.  The Ocean Tourism Coalition, Maui Dive Shop, Fair Wind Cruises and Kona Sunrise Charters, Quicksilver Charters, Aqua Lung Pacific, and one individual submitted testimony in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted comments.

 

    


Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Amending its title to read: "HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONSIDER DEVELOPING PERMITTING PROVISIONS TO REQUIRE EMPLOYEES OF WATERSPORT EXCURSION COMPANIES WHO TAKE CUSTOMERS ON WATERSPORT EXCURSIONS ARE TRAINED IN BASIC SAFETY MEASURES,";  

 

     (2)  Requesting that the Department engage stakeholders in its consideration of adopting permit provisions for watersports excursion companies to require training for employees in basic safety measures, in consideration of diverse employee roles and the existing requirements of self-regulated industries and the United States Coast Guard; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 86, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 86, H.D. 1.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

KANIELA ING, Chair