STAND. COM. REP. NO.  372-18

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2018

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2617

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2617 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OCEAN WATERS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to ensure the public safety of individuals enjoying Hawaii's nearshore ocean resources by prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in ocean waters of the State.

 

     The Honolulu Emergency Services Department and Honolulu Police Department supported this measure.  Akira Power LLC, Hawaii Goes Fishing, Quicksilver Charters, and two concerned individuals opposed this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources and one concerned individual provided comments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Incorporating the amendments provided by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (Department) that:

 

          (A)  Limit the applicability of the prohibition to ocean bathers floating, swimming, wading, or body surfing within one thousand yards of any beach or shoreline in the State;

 

          (B)  Granting the Department discretionary authority to provide exceptions for commercial operations or permitted events; and

 

          (C)  Authorizing the Department to adopt rules; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2617, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2617, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

KANIELA ING, Chair