Bill Text: HI HR226 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Requests the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a study on the feasibility of assessing commercial operations that occur at or commence from private boating facilities and use the nearshore waters of the State to generate revenue fees.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-04-15 - (H) Resolution adopted in final form. [HR226 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2011-HR226-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	226
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the department of land and natural resources to conduct a study of private boating facilities statewide and determine the feasibility of generating additional revenues from commercial operations occurring at or from these facilities.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, as an ocean state, Hawaii has an ancient seafaring heritage, one that encompasses a history of using the sea for transportation, sustenance, and recreation; and

 

     WHEREAS, the waters of Hawaii provide some of the most exciting and beautiful ocean recreation opportunities in the world and currently supports an $800 million ocean recreation industry; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's small boat harbors and ramps serve as gateways to this resource and are under the control of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation of the Department of Land and Natural Resources which administers programs, manages facilities and issues permits to facilitate access to this resource and to make Hawaii's nearshore waters safe for everyone; and

 

     WHEREAS, while the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation currently has jurisdiction over 20 public small boat harbors and 16 independent boat ramps, many private boating facilities also exist throughout the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, commercial operations, such as ocean tours and scuba and snorkeling excursions, currently operate out of these private boating facilities; and

 

     WHEREAS, during these austere economic times, studying the feasibility of assessing fees similar to those currently being assessed of commercial operations at public boating facilities appears to be a worthwhile endeavor; now, therefore,
     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, that the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to conduct a study on the feasibility of assessing fees for commercial operations that occur at or commence from private boating facilities and use the nearshore waters of the State to generate revenue that are similar to fees currently assessed on commercial operations occurring at or commencing from public boating facilities; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Director of Land and Natural Resources.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Requests the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a study on the feasibility of assessing commercial operations that occur at or commence from private boating facilities and use the nearshore waters of the State to generate revenue fees.