HB 2332 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL PORT ADMINISTRATION.

Summary

Renames the Harbors Division of the Department of Transportation to the Commercial Ports Division and distinguishes between the terms "harbor" and "commercial port" throughout the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 26, 2026 Last action Feb 20, 2026

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What changed between versions

HB2332 → HB2332_HD1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill reorganizes the terminology and jurisdiction within Hawaii's Department of Transportation by renaming the Harbors Division to the Commercial Ports Division. It distinguishes between 'harbors' (often recreational or small boat areas) and 'commercial ports' (large-scale commercial facilities) throughout state statutes. The changes clarify which specific areas fall under each category and update related laws regarding funding, enforcement, and land management to reflect this new distinction.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Department of Transportation's jurisdiction by explicitly separating commercial port operations from general harbor operations, ensuring that specific commercial port areas are managed distinctly from recreational harbors.

DEFINITION

Redefined the distinction between 'harbor' and 'commercial port' in multiple statutes to clarify that commercial ports are separate from general harbors and small boat facilities.

Added new definitions for 'improved state land' to include harbors and commercial ports, clarifying how these areas are treated for tax and land use purposes.

SCOPE

Renamed the Harbors Division within the Department of Transportation to the Commercial Ports Division to align statutory titles with the new operational focus.

REQUIREMENT

Updated land management and conveyance rules to specify that land patents for commercial ports are prepared differently than those for general public lands or harbors.

FISCAL

Adjusted references to the 'commercial port special fund' to ensure financial transfers and budgeting specifically target commercial port activities rather than general harbor maintenance.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated enforcement provisions to specify that unauthorized vessels in commercial ports are subject to specific impoundment and disposal procedures distinct from other areas.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 656-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Miyake, Cochran, Evslin, Kitagawa, La Chica, Muraoka, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Grandinetti.

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to TRN, FIN, referral sheet 6

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors