STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3143

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2333

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2333, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the Department of Transportation to designate airport special districts within airports statewide; and

(2) Increase penalties for certain aeronautics law violations by reclassifying them from civil violations to petty misdemeanors.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Airlines Committee of Hawaii, Airlines for America, and Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

Your Committee finds that as gateways for residents, visitors, commerce, and emergency response, it is of critical importance to ensure that airport facilities remain safe, welcoming, and fully operational for all users. In recent years, trespass-related incidents have accounted for the majority of airport security cases and have frequently escalated into theft, assault, property damage, public health hazards, and other criminal activity. However, existing law does not provide effective enforcement mechanisms to address ongoing issues related to unauthorized presence or disruptive behavior within airport operational areas, resulting in recurring safety and operational challenges. This measure will authorize the Department of Transportation to establish airport special districts, strengthening its ability to maintain safe, secure, and efficiently operating airport environments statewide.

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. 2333, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair