HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1997

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to vessels.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that process of removing vessels found stranded in nearshore waters is in need of evaluation.  One such example of a vessel stranded in nearshore waters is a commercial fishing vessel that ran aground off the beaches of Waikiki on October 10, 2017.  Salvage crews took nearly two months to remove the vessel through various means and eventually brought the vessel further out to sea to be sunk.  While the salvage efforts were going on, the vessel leaked oil and fuel, which later caught on fire, and damaged shallow reefs.  The stranded vessel and its delayed removal displayed a potential environmental impact on Hawaii's nearshore waters.  Delays in addressing future strandings may have similar or even greater detrimental impacts to the environment.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a task force to review the process that the department of land and natural resources uses to stranded vessels in nearshore waters.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established in the department of land and natural resources for administrative purposes a task force to evaluate the process that the department uses to respond to vessels stranded in nearshore waters.  The task force shall consist of the following members:

     (1)  The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources or the chairperson's designee, who shall serve as the task force's chair;

     (2)  The director of transportation or the director's designee;

     (3)  The Commander of the Fourteenth Coast Guard District or the Commander's designee;

     (4)  An individual who shall represent the boating community;

     (5)  An individual who shall represent the environmental protection community; and

     (6)  Any additional members the chairperson of the task force deems necessary.

     (b)  In reviewing the process for the removal of vessels stranded in nearshore waters, the task force shall examine the environmental impacts stranded vessels have to the State's nearshore resources and ways to minimize those impacts through the removal of stranded vessels. 

     (c)  No member of the task force shall be made subject to section 84-17, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation as a member of the task force. 

     (d)  Members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses, including travel costs, necessary for the performance of their duties under this Act. 

     (e)  The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2019.

     (f)  The task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2019.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Department of Land and Natural Resources; Vessel Stranding; Task Force

 

Description:

Establishes a task force to review the process that the Department of Land and Natural Resources uses to respond to vessels stranded in nearshore waters and report to the Legislature on its findings.

 

 

 

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