SB 1197 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO AIRCRAFT.

Summary

Requires the Director of Transportation to adopt rules that require tour aircraft operators to carry aircraft liability insurance coverage. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1197 → SB1197_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the rules for helicopter tour operations in Hawaii to address safety concerns following recent accidents. The changes clarify the requirement for permits at state airports and mandate specific insurance coverage for tour operators. Additionally, the effective date for these new rules was updated to July 1, 2050.

Scope change

The bill applies to all tour aircraft operations at airports under state control, requiring them to obtain permits and carry specific liability insurance.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified the language regarding the requirement for tour aircraft operations to have a permit at state-controlled airports.

Reformatted the insurance coverage requirement to ensure clarity on minimum liability limits per person per incident.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date for the new rules from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2050.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata, including the bill number suffix, sponsor information, and legislative session details.

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 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to TRN, CPC, referral sheet 18

lower

Feb 28, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 51) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Feb 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 21; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite, Elefante, McKelvey. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Inouye, Richards). Excused, 2 (Senator(s) Fukunaga, Kidani). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Richards.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN will hold a public decision making on 02-19-25 9:35AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to CPN.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 488) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to CPN.

upper

Feb 11, 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., Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Elefante ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Inouye; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on TCA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-25 3:01PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to TCA, CPN.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors