Hawaii Senate Bill SCR67

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/12/26
• Refer: 3/19/26

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Transportation And Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Coordinate The Transfer Of Small Boat Harbors Back To The Department Of Transportation And To Establish A Management Team To Develop Transition Plans.

Impact

If enacted, SCR67 will effectively reassign all authority, responsibilities, and assets related to the state's small boat harbors back to the Department of Transportation. This will facilitate better alignment of these harbors with the state’s integrated multimodal transportation system. The establishment of a management team tasked with developing transition plans is crucial for maintaining operational consistency and ensuring that personnel and administrative functions can smoothly shift between departments.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution 67 (SCR67) seeks to coordinate the transfer of small boat harbors from the Department of Land and Natural Resources back to the Department of Transportation in Hawaii. This resolution stems from the original transfer of authority established by Act 272 in 1991, which aimed to integrate the management of these harbors into a broader transportation framework. SCR67 recognizes the need for an organized transition process that includes clear responsibilities and timelines to ensure uninterrupted operations during this shift.

Contention

While the transition plan presented in SCR67 appears to be a logistical necessity for more effective harbor management, it may also generate points of contention regarding regulatory oversight and resource allocation. The need for statutory amendments to enforce this transfer suggests that debates might arise concerning the extent of regulatory power granted to the Department of Transportation in managing marine resources. Additionally, there may be concerns from stakeholders about how this shift could affect local governance and resource management strategies already in place under the Department of Land and Natural Resources.