HI SCR150

Department of Transportation requested to convene a working group to develop and recommend federal, state, and county programs subsidizing waterborne cargo transport.

Working group membership includes the Senate President, House Speaker, all county mayors, representatives from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, legislative transportation committee chairs, and one member from each water carrier operating in the State.

Working group must submit a status report no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2026.

Department of Transportation requested to lead committee efforts to work with state legislature, county transportation departments, and county councils to establish local waterborne cargo subsidy programs including legislation drafting.

Department of Transportation requested to lead committee to work with Hawaii's congressional delegation to sponsor federal legislation establishing a waterborne cargo subsidies program within the United States Department of Transportation.