STAND. COM. REP. NO.  347-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2475

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2475 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CARGO CARRIERS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Department of Transportation to expend funds from the Harbor Special Fund to provide subsidies to cargo carriers to offset costs incurred by the cargo carriers as a result of providing cargo carrier services to ports serving counties within Hawaii having a population of less than 500,000 and comprising three or more populated islands.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Young Brothers, LLC; the Maui Chamber of Commerce; and the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Transportation and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from ILWU Local 142.

 

     Your Committee recognizes that it is costly for a cargo carrier to serve the residents and ports of the less populated Hawaiian Islands.  This measure will authorize the Department of Transportation to provide subsidies to cargo carriers serving these Hawaii residents and ensure these residents continue to receive cargo, such as food and supplies, in a timely manner.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     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. 2475, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2475, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair