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Area Coordinator: Nick Tarlson, N-LLP |
State Liaison: Robert B. Fong, Sr. |
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Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources Coast Guard Auxiliary District: 14 Coast Guard District: 14
First Quarter Report, 2008:
The boating legislative activity in Hawaii surrounded Senate Bill 2569 and the House Bill 2074. SB2569 was authored in 2006 and HB 2074 was authored in 2007. In both cases these bills were referred to more than one committee. The committees advised that these bills failed to clearly outline provisions for enforcement and finding. Therefore, CG District 14 is attempting to form a coalition of Recreational Boating Safety organizations who will re-write the bill into a document that addresses these issues. We are also willing to testify if needed and to assist to move the revised Bills through the Legislature. The state Department of Land & Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, has voiced criticism of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Vessel Safety Checks. Specifically, their criticism targets the quality of the checks. However, these checks are a snapshot in time and do not guarantee continued compliance. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Fourth Quarter Report, 2007: No new boating-related legislation introduced this quarter. Will be back in session in January (of 2008) Third Quarter Report, 2007: Bill HB630 has been referred to the Committees on Finance, Water, Land, Ocean Resources and Hawaiian Affairs. Committee Chair is Ken Ito and Vice Chair is Pono Chong. The Bill has gone through First Reading and is assigned to Committee for Committee Hearings scheduled for January 2008. The recommended position that the Auxiliary should take on this Bill is to support the Bill with the following changes: Line 10 ADD …department, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, or by third party… The Auxiliary can approach the Authors and ask that they submit a Friendly Amendment or we may chose to testify and request this change. The purpose of this amendment is to exclude the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadron being identified as “third party”, inasmuch as these organizations were approved at the NASBLA Conference, and further, to qualify our courses would place an unneeded delay in implementing the intent of the Bill. HB736 Small Boat Harbors – Transfer to the Department of Transportation This Bill will transfer all recreational boat harbors from the DLNR to the DOT. HB 1914 Insurance – Boating This bill prohibits mooring of any boat at any state small boat harbor unless the owner has insurance such that there is sufficient amount to pay for the removal of the boat should it run aground. SB1888 Provides for the establishment of the Ala Wai Community Development District for the purpose of addressing the deteriorating conditions at the Ala Wai Boat Harbor. HB1516 & 1579 Appropriate funding to move Hawaii Marine from Ala Wai to Keehi Lagoon Harbor. Currently the state has been called to task regarding the deteriorating recreational boating harbors and ramps across the state. The estimated repairs are in the millions of dollars. On an annualized basis, DBOR receive $15.00 per vessel registration. Assuming that there are 3500 recreational vessels, that means the state takes in $52,500.00 less expenses and approximately $1.5 million from slip rentals. These funds are grossly insufficient to even keep up with maintenance. Therefore, targeted appropriations will have to come from the legislature to cover costs. Second Quarter Report, 2007: The legislature is in recess until January (of 2008). However there have been a flurry of Bills that have been authored and have received Committee assignments. First Quarter Report, 2007:
House Bill 736 transferred the jurisdiction of the small boat harbors from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department of Transportation. Small boat harbors were originally under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation, but were transferred to the Department of Land and Natural Resources in 1991 because they did not generate sufficient revenues. However, with the passage of time, conditions at the small boat harbors changed. The small boat harbor facilities deteriorated and there was an increase in commercial businesses that paid higher fees. In order to ensure the best management and use of the small boat harbors, the legislature deemed a change in jurisdiction necessary. House Concurrent Resolution 233 proposes the following guidelines for boaters and whale safety: 1. Boaters will watch for the whales' blows, fins, and tails. 2. Boaters will maintain speed at thirteen knots or slower. 3. Boaters will warn other vessels of whale sightings. 4. Boaters will not assume that whales will naturally avoid vessels.
House Bill 630 proposes making boating licenses mandatory. The bill would make it unlawful for any person to operate a vessel on the waters of the state without first obtaining a license. The Department of Land and Natural Resources would be responsible for issuing the licenses. The department would not issue a license to any person unless the person has successfully completed a course in boating safety offered by the department or by a third party, provided that the course offered by the third party has been approved in advance by the department.
Updated Tuesday July 01, 2008 | |
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