REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO ESTABLISH AND RECOMMEND FEDERAL AND LOCAL SUBSIDIES FOR THE TRANSPORT OF WATERBORNE CARGO AND TO WORK AND CONSULT WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, AND THE LEGISLATURE.

HR 166 is a Hawaii House Resolution requesting the Department of Transportation to convene a working group focused on establishing federal and local subsidies for waterborne cargo transport. The resolution directly affects Hawaii's water carriers and residents, as the state relies on water transport for over 98% of imported goods (80% of all consumed goods), with shipping costs adding up to 7.5% to product prices. Key mechanisms include forming a working group with state agency leaders, legislators, county representatives, and water carrier members, and requiring a report to the legislature by 2026 on progress toward creating these subsidy programs. This procedural resolution does not create subsidies itself but sets up a process to develop them, building on recommendations from a 2021 working group report.