STAND. COM. REP. NO. 656-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2332

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2332 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL PORT ADMINISTRATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to rename the Harbors Division of the Department of Transportation to the Commercial Ports Division and distinguish between the terms "harbor" and "commercial port" throughout the Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; The Maritime Group; and Hawaiʻi Harbors Users Group. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's commercial maritime facilities are critical infrastructure supporting the movement of the vast majority of goods consumed in the State and that clear statutory terminology is essential to effective governance, planning, and supply chain resilience. Additionally, the term "harbor" refers broadly to a sheltered body of water, while "commercial port" more accurately describes the man-made facilities and operations under the Department of Transportation's jurisdiction, and that inconsistent use of these terms in statute has created confusion regarding authority and responsibilities. By renaming the Harbors Division as the Commercial Ports Division and distinguishing between "harbor" and "commercial port" throughout the Hawaii Revised Statutes, this measure modernizes statutory language, improves administrative clarity, and strengthens coordination and accountability across state agencies.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

(2) 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 Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2332, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2332, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

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DARIUS KILA, Chair