STAND. COM. REP. NO.  557

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1165

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1165 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HARBORS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to enhance the safety and security of individuals and vessels using the state's commercial harbors by authorizing the Director of Transportation to adopt rules establishing safety measures and security requirements in or about the commercial harbors, land, and facilities belonging to or controlled by the State.

 

     The Department of Transportation (DOT) testified in support of this bill.

 

     According to DOT, there are times that an individual, or individuals, separate and apart from vessel traffic, have conducted activities in Hawaii's commercial harbors, including the waters of the commercial harbor, which have threatened the safety and security of either the individual or vessels in the harbor.  Although the Director of Transportation currently has the authority to adopt rules to regulate vessels, passengers, freight, carriers, shippers, and consignees and can adopt rules for the safety of docks, wharves, piers, quays, bulkheads, and landings within commercial harbors, this measure will provide the Director with explicit authority to regulate traffic and other activities in the State's commercial harbors, including the waters of the commercial harbors.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1165 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair