SB 1478 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL HARBORS.

Summary

Requires masters or persons in charge of vessels to follow an order by a harbor master to evacuate a commercial harbor in emergencies. Establishes higher penalties for noncompliance. Authorizes fines collected for violations of this requirement as moneys to be paid into the Special Harbor Fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Mar 6, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1478 → SB1478_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill adds a new section to Hawaii's commercial harbor laws requiring vessel masters to obey evacuation orders during emergencies and establishes a $10,000 daily fine per vessel for noncompliance. It also amends the Harbor Special Fund section to include fines from violations as revenue and changes the bill's effective date from immediate approval to July 1, 2050.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on commercial harbors under the Department of Transportation's jurisdiction, but it now explicitly defines key terms like 'emergency,' 'evacuation,' and 'harbor master' to clarify enforcement authority.

REQUIREMENT

New requirement for vessel masters and crew to comply with harbor master evacuation orders during emergencies

ENFORCEMENT

New $10,000 per day per vessel fine for violating evacuation orders, plus potential loss of harbor access privileges

FISCAL

Amends Section 266-19(a) to include fines from this new violation section as revenue for the Harbor Special Fund

DEFINITION

Added definitions for 'Emergency,' 'Evacuation,' 'Harbor master,' and 'Vessel' to clarify enforcement scope

TIMELINE

Changed effective date from immediate approval to July 1, 2050

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to TRN, PBS, JHA, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 349) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC/WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-27-25 10:25AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

Reported from TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 250) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TCA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Elefante, Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Inouye.

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on TCA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to TCA, JDC/WAM.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors