HI HR180

Requests Hawaii State Department of Transportation to convene a working group and committees to create and recommend federal, state, and county subsidies for waterborne cargo transport based on the Water Carriers Working Group's December 2021 final report.

Working group membership includes the Senate President, House Speaker, county mayors, and representatives from Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, Public Utilities Commission, Hawaii Farm Bureau, longshoremen labor organization, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council.

Directs Department of Transportation to establish a committee to work with the United States Department of Transportation Maritime Administration on federal waterborne cargo subsidies program development and legislation drafting.

Directs Department of Transportation to establish a committee to work with Hawaii's Congressional Delegation to sponsor federal legislation establishing a waterborne cargo subsidies program.

Requires interim report to Legislature no later than 20 days before Regular Session of 2023 and final report with findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation no later than 20 days before Regular Session of 2024.