CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 98

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 791

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 791, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VESSELS,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend provisions regarding the designation, impoundment, and disposal of unauthorized, abandoned, grounded, and derelict vessels on state property or in the waters of the State to more quickly address these vessels and relevant proceedings.

Your Committee on Conference finds that existing law requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to provide a seventy-two-hour notice of intent to impound an unauthorized, abandoned, grounded, or derelict vessel before being able to take control of the vessel. However, in some instances, the condition of the vessel rapidly deteriorates, requiring additional labor, increased risks to health and public safety, and additional costs to remove and impound the vessel. This measure shortens the time-period for the DLNR to respond and remove abandoned vessels to help protect reefs and maintain ocean health.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 791, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 791, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS Co-Chair	____________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE Chair
____________________________ SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI Co-Chair	____________________________ SHARON MORIWAKI Co-Chair
____________________________ PATRICK PIHANA BRANCO Co-Chair	____________________________ CHRIS LEE Co-Chair