STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2914

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2400

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2400 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) Exempt persons operating wing-in-ground craft from the application of the Hawaii Water Carrier Act; and

(2) Define "wing‑in‑ground craft".

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Community Development Authority, Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation, Aero X Ventures, The Maritime Group, Kamehameha Schools, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1186, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaiʻi Seaglider Initiative, Hawaiian Council, and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee finds that wing-in-ground craft, also known as seagliders, are an innovative form of transportation that have the potential to enhance inter-island mobility while supporting the State's long-term decarbonization and economic diversification goals. This measure would provide clarity that wing-in-ground craft are subject to federal safety oversight and therefore do not require regulation by the Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2400, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2400, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

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JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair