Hawaii-2019-HR61-Introduced

WHEREAS, the State's well-being is dependent on the efficient administration, development, management, and operation of its ten commercial harbors and commercial maritime infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, the responsibility for the State's commercial harbor planning, management, marketing, and capital development functions is currently distributed among several agencies, including but not limited to the Harbors Division of the Department of Transportation, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Human Resources Development, Board of Land and Natural Resources, and Department of Health; and

WHEREAS, distributing responsibility across multiple agencies that may have conflicting goals and priorities results in inefficiency, delayed decision-making, and reduced effectiveness; and

WHEREAS, establishing a separate state entity with overall jurisdiction over and responsibility for the State's commercial harbors and maritime operations will make the planning and development of the State's commercial harbors system and maritime infrastructure more efficient; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, that the Harbors Division of the Department of Transportation is requested to establish a task force to be administratively attached to the Harbors Division to study the feasibility of establishing a Hawaii Commercial Harbors Authority; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to examine the Hawaii Commercial Harbors Authority's ability to:

(1) Maximize the contribution of the State's commercial harbors to the State's economy;

(2) Ensure dedicated expert commercial harbor leadership, management continuity, and year-round decision-making, consistent with industry best practices;

(3) Improve administrative efficiency by streamlining administrative processes;

(4) Accelerate the planning and implementation of capital improvement programs for the State's commercial harbors;

(5) Increase the financial flexibility and strength of the State's commercial harbors;

(6) Increase economic opportunities for the State;

(7) Increase responsiveness to consumer needs, commercial opportunities, and economic demands; and

(8) Maximize job creation within the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Deputy Director of Transportation, Harbors Division or the Deputy Director's designee is requested to serve as chairperson of the task force and to invite one representative from each of the following entities to serve as task force members:

(1) The Hawaii Tourism Authority;

(2) The Department of Budget and Finance;

(3) The Department of Human Resources Development;

(4) The Department of Land and Natural Resources;

(5) The Environmental Health Administration or Environmental Management Division of the Department of Health;

(6) The International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 142;

(7) The Hawaii Longshore Division of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 142;

(8) United Public Workers, Local 646;

(9) The Hawaii Government Employee Association, Local 152; and

(10) The Hawaii Harbors Users Group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to develop and recommend legislation to establish the Hawaii Commercial Harbors Authority and to transfer to the Authority all of the authority, powers, functions, duties, and responsibilities of the Harbors Division of the Department of Transportation relating to commercial maritime and harbors, including responsibility for the development, management, operation, and maintenance of the State's commercial harbors;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to 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 2020; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Deputy Director of Transportation, Harbors Division; President of the Hawaii Tourism Authority; Director of Finance; Director of Human Resources Development; Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; Director of Health; President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 142; Director of the Hawaii Longshore Division of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 142; Executive Director of the Hawaii Harbors Users Group; State Director of United Public Workers, Local 646; and Executive Director of the Hawaii Government Employee Association, Local 152.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Department of Transportation; Harbors; Task Force; Study

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	61
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII