STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2769

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3215

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 3215 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HARBOR SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to repeal the sunset date of Act 236, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024 (Act 236), and thus to permanently require that the securing of mooring lines from vessels in the State's harbors generally be performed by union labor.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee notes that Act 236 which took effect on July 1, 2025:

(1) Established section 266-61, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which generally mandates that the Department of Transportation require that the securing of mooring lines from vessels to commercial docks, wharves, piers, quays, and landings be performed by labor subject to collective bargaining;

(2) Included non-statutory language to prevent the Act from being applied or enforced in a manner that impaired federal contracts, conflicted with federal law, or conflicted with the Hawaii State Constitution; and

(3) Included a sunset date of July 1, 2028.

Your Committee finds that repealing the July 1, 2028, sunset date of Act 236 will help ensure the integrity of the State's commercial harbor system and the continued flow of critical food supplies.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3215 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair