Bill Text: HI HB184 | 2023 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Commercial Ocean Recreation.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-07 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). [HB184 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2023-HB184-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
184 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO COMMERCIAL OCEAN RECREATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that many tourists who visit the State participate in watersports, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and surfing. There are companies that conduct commercial operations that take customers on excursions in state waters for the purpose of engaging in recreational activities. These commercial operations are required to obtain a permit from the department of land and natural resources division of boating and ocean recreation. However, the provisions for obtaining those permits do not include safety requirements, which leads to potential consumer safety issues.
The legislature further finds that the number of visitors coming to Hawaii continues to grow and locations for commercial ocean recreation are more heavily used with each passing year. This situation has led to an increase in safety-related incidents over time, including a fatal boating accident off the coast of Kailua-Kona in April 2022. More stringent crew training requirements would both increase safety and ensure that companies engaging in commercial tours meet minimum requirements before charging customers.
The legislature also finds that House Concurrent Resolution No. 86, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, adopted in 2015, requested the department of land and natural resources to engage stakeholders to consider adopting permitting provisions requiring employees of companies who take customers on watersport excursions to be trained in basic water safety measures. However, the legislature finds that the department of land and natural resources has not taken action in response to the provisions of the concurrent resolution.
The purpose of this Act is to increase customer safety by requiring:
(1) Commercial ocean operators who take customers into state waters to engage in recreational activities, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and surfing lessons, to have at least one individual aboard the vessel who is certified as a rescue diver or lifeguard by a nationally recognized certification organization; and
(2) Each vessel that transports customers for the purpose of engaging in an activity in state waters to have a backboard, emergency oxygen, and an automated external defibrillator included in its onboard safety equipment.
SECTION 2. Chapter 200, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§200- Commercial
ocean operator; crew and safety requirements. (a) Each commercial ocean operator who transports customers aboard a
vessel into waters of the State to engage in recreational activities, including
snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and surfing, shall have aboard the
vessel used to transport the customers at
least one individual who is certified as a rescue diver or lifeguard by a
nationally recognized certification organization; provided that this subsection
shall not apply to vessels inspected by the United States Coast Guard.
(b) Each vessel used by a commercial ocean
operator to transport customers for the purpose of engaging in any activity in
waters of the State shall have a backboard, emergency oxygen, and an automated
external defibrillator included in its onboard safety equipment."
SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000.
Report Title:
Boating Law; Commercial Ocean Operators; Vessels; Safety
Description:
Requires
commercial ocean operators who take customers into state waters to engage in
recreational activities to have at least one individual aboard the vessel who
is rescue diver or lifeguard certified by a nationally recognized certification
organization, with certain exceptions.
Requires vessels that transport customers for the purpose of engaging in
an activity in state waters to have a backboard, emergency oxygen, and an
automated external defibrillator included in its onboard safety equipment. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
