STAND. COM. REP. NO. 183-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2093

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2093 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to regulate the operation of rental watercrafts in the State by:

(1) Prohibiting the operation of rental watercraft in state parks on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays; and

(2) Requiring the registering and numbering of rental watercraft by January 1, 2025.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Kauaʻi County Council. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Boss Frog's Dive and Surf; Teralani Sailing Adventures; Hula Girl Sailing Charters; Splashers Ocean Adventures DBA Kona Snorkel Trips; Gemini Charters; Sail Maui; Hawaii Ocean Rafting; Malolo Charters; Hawaiian Rafting Adventures Inc.; Kauaʻi Chamber; Liʻi Makau Inc.; Kamaʻāina Kids; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that with the proliferation of rental kayaks and stand-up paddleboards statewide, it is beneficial for the residents and natural resources of Hawaii to limit commercial rentals of these items where the state park itself is the location of the watercraft activity.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Removing the prohibition on operating rental watercraft in a state park on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays;

(2) Modifying the scope of the registration, numbering, and related requirements for rental watercraft to those to be used by the public for transiting the navigable waters of a state park, instead of ocean recreation and coastal area, and clarifying that registration and numbering requirements may be authorized by a special use permit or administrative rules;

(3) Authorizing, rather than requiring, the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish reasonable fees for initial and annual renewal registration, and including ancillary decals, for rental watercraft;

(4) Setting a sunset date of December 31, 2029;

(5) Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(6) 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 Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2093, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2093, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair