SB1478 amends Hawaii’s commercial harbor laws to require vessel masters and others in charge of vessels to comply with evacuation orders issued by the harbor master during an emergency. The bill defines key terms such as “emergency,” “evacuation,” “harbor master,” and “vessel,” and applies to commercial waterways and facilities under the Department of Transportation’s jurisdiction.
The bill also establishes a significant enforcement mechanism for noncompliance. A violator, including a vessel master, agent, owner, or crew member, would be subject to a $10,000 fine for each day of violation per vessel. In addition, a court, the Department of Transportation, or a hearing officer could bar the offender from entering the secured area of a commercial harbor or obtaining an operating or mooring permit for one year. The bill further directs fines collected under the new section into the Harbor Special Fund, supporting harbor operations and improvements.
Impact
SB1478 would add a new enforcement provision to Chapter 266, Hawaii Revised Statutes, strengthening the Department of Transportation’s authority over emergency evacuations in state commercial harbors. It would create new penalties for failure to comply with harbor evacuation orders and expand the list of revenues deposited into the Harbor Special Fund by including fines and penalties collected under the new section. The bill would therefore affect vessel operators, harbor users, and the department’s harbor management and funding structure.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong support for the bill. It passed the Senate Transportation and Culture and the Arts Committee unanimously, then advanced through Senate Ways and Means and Senate Judiciary without opposition. No committee transcripts were provided, but the unanimous votes indicate broad agreement with the bill’s public safety and harbor management goals.
Contention
No major opposition is reflected in the available record. The main policy choice in the bill is the severity of the enforcement tools: a $10,000-per-day fine per vessel and the possibility of a one-year denial of harbor access or permits. Those penalties could be the most likely point of concern for vessel owners, operators, agents, and crew, but the committee votes show no recorded dissent in the materials provided.
Requesting The Department Of Transportation To Share Information On The Safety And Performance Of Commercial Tour Operators To Help Residents And Visitors Make Informed Decisions.
Requesting The Department Of Transportation To Share Information On The Safety And Performance Of Helicopter And Air Tour Operators To Help Residents And Visitors Make Informed Decisions.