Bill Text: HI HB2265 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Commercial Ocean Recreation.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 18-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-02-09 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Har, McDermott, Souki, Tupola, Woodson excused (5). [HB2265 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-HB2265-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2265 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO COMMERCIAL OCEAN RECREATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that many tourists who visit the State participate in watersports in the oceans surrounding the State, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and surfing lessons. There are companies that conduct commercial operations which take customers on excursions in state waters for the purpose of engaging in recreation activities. These commercial operations are required to obtain a permit from the division of boating and ocean recreation of the department of land and natural resources. However, the provisions for obtaining those permits do not include any safety requirements, which can lead to potential consumer safety issues.
The legislature further finds that House Concurrent Resolution No. 86, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, adopted in 2015, requested the department of land and natural resources to engage stakeholders to consider adopting permitting provisions requiring employees of companies who take customers on watersport excursions to be trained in basic water safety measures. The department has not taken action to carry out the provisions of this resolution since its adoption.
The purpose of this Act is to require the department of land and natural resources to adopt rules regulating the activity of watersport excursion companies to provide for more customer safety measures.
SECTION 2. The department of land and natural resources shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by July 1, 2019, regulating the commercial ocean operators that take customers into state waters for the purpose of engaging in activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and surfing lessons. In adopting these rules, the department shall require that:
(1) Commercial operators that allow customers to participate in an activity in state waters away from a vessel maintain a ratio of at least one tour guide or instructor per eight participants;
(2) Each tour guide and instructor shall have a dive master or lifeguard certification from a nationally recognized certification organization; and
(3) Vessels used by commercial operators to
transport customers for the purpose of engaging in an activity in ocean waters
shall include a backboard and emergency oxygen in onboard safety equipment.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on December 24, 2088.
Report Title:
Commercial Ocean Recreation; Safety Measures; Watersports
Description:
Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules regulating the activity of watersport excursion companies to provide for increased safety measures. (HB2265 HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
