STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1401

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 714

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 714, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOORING LINES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require that the securing of mooring lines from vessels requiring tug assistance to commercial docks, wharves, piers, quays, and landings be performed by a stevedoring company; and

(2) Define "stevedoring company".

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 142; Hawai‘i State AFL-CIO; International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 100; Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; and ninety-four individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Island Energy Services, LLC; Par Hawaii; and Island Plastic Bags, Inc. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation; Public Utilities Commission; Young Brothers, LLC; General Contractors Association of Hawaii; American Marine Corporation; Hawai‘i Gas; and Hawaiian Cement.

Your Committee finds that to transport goods to the State's harbors, tugs are required to tow large vessels to docks for offloading and onloading of cargo. Recently, certain tug and barge crews that were tasked with securing vessels to docks were found to belong to out-of-state companies, and such crews may not be properly trained and certified under current state regulations. This measure supports the local maritime industry workforce while also ensuring the timely transport of cargo.

Your Committee notes that relevant stakeholders are continuing to discuss consensus language for this measure and requests that your Committee on Ways and Means consider the proposed language, should it choose to hear this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with their intent and purpose of H.B. No. 714, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair