STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1335-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 3102

S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 3102, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PORT PILOTAGE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Clarify the consulting role and responsibilities of the Department of Transportation in the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' development and implementation of port pilot licensure standards, requirements, and criteria; and

(2) Repeal the inclusion of Port Allen as part of the waters of the State that are regulated by statutory pilotage requirements.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure the Department of Transportation; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; The Maritime Group; Hawaii Pilots Association; Matson Navigation Company, Inc.; Hawaiʻi Harbors Users Group; Hawaii State AFL-CIO; and Young Brothers, LLC.

Your Committee finds that safe and efficient navigation of vessels in Hawaii's commercial harbors is essential to protecting public safety, facilitating maritime commerce, and safeguarding the State's marine environment. Under existing law, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is responsible for the licensure and regulation of port pilots; however, the Department of Transportation maintains operational oversight of the State's commercial ports and possesses critical expertise regarding harbor operations and pilotage needs. By formalizing this collaboration and updating certain statutory provisions relating to pilotage waters, this measure clarifies and strengthens coordination between the two departments and helps to ensure the continued safety and efficiency of Hawaii's commercial ports.

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 S.B. No. 3102, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3102, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair