This bill, signed into law by the Governor on June 3, 2026, removes the expiration date from safety regulations for commercial harbor mooring operations established in 2024. By repealing the sunset provision that was set to delete these rules on July 1, 2028, the legislation ensures that the harbor safety requirements remain in effect indefinitely. The change directly impacts the State's commercial harbor system by providing long-term operational certainty for the regulations designed to protect harbor infrastructure.
This Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Land and Natural Resources to work together on returning the state's small boat harbors to the Department of Transportation. The bill directs these agencies to create a management team that will develop detailed plans for transferring staff, operations, and assets back to the transportation department. The team must outline how to reorganize positions, structure the harbor administration within the department, and ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. The agencies are required to submit their findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution initiates the planning process but does not immediately change laws, as full transfer of authority would require separate statutory action.
This bill requests the Hawaii Departments of Transportation and Land and Natural Resources to coordinate the return of small boat harbor management to the Department of Transportation. It directs both agencies to form a joint management team that will create detailed transition plans for transferring staff, operations, and assets. The team must develop organizational structures, update job descriptions, and address administrative needs before submitting a final report to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution initiates planning for the transfer but does not enact the legal changes required to complete the move.
This House Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Land and Natural Resources to work together on returning the state's small boat harbors to the Department of Transportation. The bill directs these two agencies to create a management team that will develop detailed plans for transferring staff, operations, and assets back to the Department of Transportation. The management team must prepare a report with recommendations for any needed legislation by early 2027 to ensure the transition happens smoothly without disrupting harbor services. This resolution serves as a planning step rather than an immediate transfer, as full legal authority changes would require separate legislation.
SCR 23 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting Hawaii's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to create a dedicated panel of commissioners focused exclusively on regulating intrastate water carriers and maritime commerce. This panel would address the unique operational needs of Hawaii’s island-based supply chain - such as vessel safety, harbor operations, and emergency preparedness - currently managed alongside other utilities like electricity and gas. The resolution aims to improve regulatory effectiveness through specialized maritime expertise and better coordination with the Department of Transportation’s Harbors Division, without changing existing laws. It directly affects the PUC’s structure and oversight of maritime transportation, which moves essential goods like food, fuel, and medicine between Hawaiian islands.
This Senate Resolution (SR 20) requests Hawaii's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to create a dedicated panel focused on regulating island shipping services (intrastate water carriers) and maritime commerce. It directly affects the PUC, maritime transportation operators, and Hawaii's supply chain by asking for specialized oversight of a system critical to moving essential goods like food, fuel, and medicine between islands. The resolution emphasizes that Hawaii uniquely relies on maritime transport as its core supply chain - unlike most states - and argues that a specialized panel would improve safety, emergency response, and regulatory decisions without changing existing laws. The request aims to strengthen coordination between the PUC and Hawaii's Department of Transportation on maritime operations.
Amends section 266-19.5(d), HRS, for the purpose of increasing the cap for the contract value of any one capital advancement contract (CAC) and the cap for the total aggregate value of CACs in a fiscal year entered into by the Department of Transportation with private parties for harbor improvements. Adds reporting requirements for the department.
HB 948 requires the Department of Transportation to build, maintain, and operate customs and security facilities at commercial harbors. This bill directly affects commercial harbor operators and port authorities by mandating state-level facility management. Key provisions specify the DOT's responsibility for constructing, maintaining, and operating these security-focused facilities. The bill does not alter existing customs procedures but shifts operational responsibility to the DOT for harbor security infrastructure.
Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to include line-item funding for maintenance dredging at state small boat harbor facilities in its annual budget request. Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct maintenance dredging at state small boat harbors, boat launch ramp facilities, and waterways. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes the Port Worker Advisory Committee to make recommendations to the Department of Transportation regarding management of state-owned and state-managed ports. Requires the Department to conduct meetings to solicit input from port workers on methods to improve ports and problems faced by port workers.
