HI SCR144

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

Working group membership includes the Senate President, House Speaker, all four county mayors, representatives from Department of Business/Economic Development/Tourism, Hawaii State DOT, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Harbor Users Group, and chairs of both Legislative Transportation committees.

Establish a committee to work with the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration to seek federal waterborne cargo funding and draft supporting legislative language.

Establish a committee to work with Hawaii's congressional delegation to sponsor federal legislation establishing a waterborne cargo funding program within the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Submit interim report on subsidy program status by twenty days before the 2023 legislative session and final report with recommendations and proposed legislation by twenty days before the 2024 legislative session.