RELATING TO SMALL BOAT HARBORS.

Budget Taxes

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: HASHEM
Last action: 2026-05-07
Official status: Transmitted to Governor.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The exact increase in fees for commercial vessels is not specified in the provided official material.

Rules for Small Boat Harbors

This bill revises provisions relating to state small boat harbors fees and permits, establishes a special fund for commercial vessel improvements, and provides funding for harbor repairs.

What This Bill Does

Establishes the 'small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund' to be used by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) for improvements that primarily benefit commercial vessels using state small boat harbors.
Changes how fees are set for mooring permits in small boat harbors, including a percentage of gross revenues or passenger charges for commercial vessels.
Provides $32 million in bonds and appropriations for capital improvement projects at five small boat harbors across Hawaii.

Who It Names or Affects

Commercial vessels that use state small boat harbors will pay higher fees based on their revenue or passenger numbers.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will manage the new special fund and use it for harbor improvements.
Small boat harbor users in Honolulu, Oahu; Haleiwa, Oahu; Honokohau, Hawaii; Maalaea, Maui; and Port Allen, Kauai will benefit from capital improvement projects.

Terms To Know

Commercial vessel: A boat used for business purposes like carrying passengers or goods.
Moorage fee: The cost paid by a boat owner to keep their boat in a harbor.

Limits and Unknowns

It is not clear how much the new fees will increase for commercial vessels.
Some of the funds allocated for harbor repairs may lapse if not used by June 30, 2028.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

CD1

Hawaii published version CD1

Plain English: HB649 CD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB649 CD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
649 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII S.D.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: HB649 HD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB649 HD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
649 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SMALL BOAT HARBORS .

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: HB649 SD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB649 SD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
649 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII S.D.

Bill History

2026-05-08 S
Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
2026-05-07 H
Transmitted to Governor.
2026-05-06 H
Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
2026-05-06 H
Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Cochran voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick voting no (5) and none excused (0).
2026-05-06 S
Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Richards. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none).
2026-05-01 S
48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
2026-05-01 S
Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 172-26).
2026-05-01 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
2026-05-01 H
Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 172-26) as amended in (CD 1).
2026-04-30 S
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Moriwaki, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-04-30 H
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-04-29 S
Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-30-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 229.
2026-04-28 S
Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-29-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 229.
2026-04-27 S
Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-28-26 9:00AM; CR 229.
2026-04-24 S
Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-27-26 9:00AM; CR 229.
2026-04-20 H
Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 713).
2026-04-20 S
Senate Conferees Appointed: Lee, C. Chairs; Moriwaki Co-Chair; Chang.
2026-04-20 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).
2026-04-20 H
House Conferees Appointed: Hashem, Morikawa Co-Chairs; Shimizu.
2026-04-17 S
Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).
2026-04-16 H
House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
2026-04-14 H
Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 569) in amended form (SD 1).
2026-04-14 S
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite, Richards. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2026-04-10 S
One Day Notice 04-14-26.
2026-04-10 S
Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3711) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
2026-04-08 S
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-04-06 S
The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-08-26 10:02AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2026-03-30 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
2026-03-30 S
Reported from WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3360) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
2026-03-25 S
The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Lamosao ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Inouye, Chang.
2026-03-23 S
The committee(s) on WLA deferred the measure until 03-25-26 1:12PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
2026-03-20 S
The committee(s) on WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 03-23-26 1:05PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
2026-02-02 S
Re-Referred to WLA, WAM.
2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-03-14 S
The committee on WTL deferred the measure.
2025-03-10 S
The committee(s) on WTL has scheduled a public hearing on 03-14-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
2025-03-06 S
Referred to WTL, WAM.
2025-03-06 S
Passed First Reading.
2025-03-06 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 265).
2025-03-04 H
Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Shimizu, Souza voting no (7) and Representative(s) Pierick, Ward excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.
2025-02-28 H
Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1154), recommending passage on Third Reading.
2025-02-24 H
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 14 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Morikawa, Templo; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Miyake, Alcos, Reyes Oda; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Hussey, Ward.
2025-02-21 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Monday, 02-24-25 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-02-11 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Representative(s) Matsumoto voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu, Souza voting no (6) and Representative(s) Cochran, Ward excused (2).
2025-02-11 H
Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 361) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
2025-02-06 H
The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Lamosao, Belatti, Iwamoto, Poepoe, Woodson; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Morikawa; 2 Noes: Representative(s) Shimizu, Souza; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ichiyama.
2025-02-04 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by WAL on Thursday, 02-06-25 9:00AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-01-21 H
Referred to WAL, FIN, referral sheet 2
2025-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-17 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO SMALL BOAT HARBORS.
Department of Land and Natural Resources; Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation; State Small Boat Harbors; Permits; Fees
Revises provisions relating to state small boat harbors fees and permits. (CD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB649

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

649

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to small boat harbors
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
Chapter 200, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to
read as follows:

����
"
�200-
�
Small boat harbor commercial vessel special
fund.
�
(a)
�
There is established the small boat
harbor commercial vessel special fund to be administered by the department.

����
(b)
�
The following shall be deposited into the
small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund:

����
(1)
�
Appropriations
by the legislature;

����
(2)
�
The portion of
fees designated under section 200‑10(c)(5) for deposit into the small
boat harbor commercial vessel special fund; and

����
(3)
�
Moneys derived
from interest, dividends, or other sources.

����
�
(c)
�
Moneys in the small boat harbor commercial
vessel special fund shall be expended exclusively for improvements that
primarily benefit commercial vessels that utilize state small boat harbors.
"

����
SECTION
2
.
�
Section 200-10,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

����
1.
�

By amending subsection (c) to read:

����
"(c)
�
The permittee shall pay moorage fees to the
department for the use permit that shall be based on but not limited to the use
of the vessel, the vessel's effect on the harbor, use of facilities, and the
cost of administering the mooring program; provided that:

����
(1)
�
Except for
commercial maritime activities in which a tariff is established by the
department of transportation, moorage fees shall be established by appraisal by
a state-licensed appraiser approved by the department;

����
(2)
�
For commercial
maritime activities in which a tariff is established by the harbors division of
the department of transportation, the department may adopt the published tariff
of the harbors division of the department of transportation or establish the fee
by appraisal by a state-licensed appraiser approved by the department;

����
(3)
�
An application fee
shall be collected when applying for moorage in state small boat harbors and
shall thereafter be collected annually when the application is renewed;
provided that the application fee shall be set by the department;

����
(4)
�
If a recreational
vessel is used as a place of principal habitation, the permittee shall pay, in
lieu of the moorage fee required by paragraph (1), a monthly liveaboard fee
that shall be
two times the moorage fee that would
otherwise be assessed for a vessel of the same size;

����
(5)
�
If a vessel is
used for commercial purposes from the vessel's permitted mooring, the permittee
shall pay, in lieu of the moorage fee required by paragraph (1), a monthly fee
that shall be the greater of:

���������
(A)
�
[
Three
]
Five

per cent of the gross revenues derived from the use of the vessel;

���������
(B)
�
$1.50 per
passenger carried for hire; or

���������
(C)
�
Two times the
moorage fee that would otherwise be assessed for a recreational vessel of the
same size;

���������
provided that forty per cent
of the revenues collected under this paragraph shall be deposited into the
small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund established under section 200- ;

����
(6)
�
The department is
authorized to assess and collect utility fees, including electrical and water
charges, and common-area maintenance fees in small boat harbors; and

����
(7)
�
All
fees established by appraisal pursuant to this subsection shall be set at fair
market value."

����
2.
�

By amending subsection (h) to read:

����
"
(h)
�
[
All
]
Unless otherwise specified,
all
revenues from the foregoing operations shall be deposited in the
boating special fund."

����
SECTION
3
.
�
Section 200-34,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

����
"
�200-34
�
Disposition of
revenues.
�
[
All
]
Unless
otherwise specified, all
fees and penalties collected pursuant to sections
200-10, 200-14, 200-14.5, and 200-32, and all fees and penalties established by
rules adopted pursuant to sections 200-4 and 200‑24, shall be deposited
in the boating special fund."

����
SECTION 4.
�
The director of finance is authorized to
issue general obligation bonds, with debt service to be paid from special funds,
in the sum of $32,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same
sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2025-2026
for the purpose of capital improvement projects for LNR801 - ocean-based
recreation, as follows:

1.
��
Ala Wai small boat harbor front row pier
repairs Honolulu, Oahu

���������
Design and construction for repair and
reconstruction of existing finger piers along front row.

���������
Total funding
������������������������������
$9,000,000

2.
��
Haleiwa small boat harbor, Oahu

���������
Replace existing concrete marginal
wharf with new pile guided aluminum framed floating dock, including water and
electrical service.

���������
Total funding
������������������������������
$8,000,000

3.
��
Honokohau small boat harbor, Hawaii
����������������������������

���������
Asphalt paving, striping, and drainage
improvements existing gravel parking areas on the north and south sides harbor.

���������
Total funding
������������������������������
$4,500,000

4.
��
Maalaea small boat harbor, Maui

���������
Maintenance dredging of harbor basin
and entrance channel.

���������
Total funding
������������������������������
$6,000,000

5.
��
Port Allen small boat harbor, Kauai
����������������������������

���������
Pier A and B installation/retrofit of
new concrete piles to stabilize piers from harbor surge.

���������
Total funding
������������������������������
$4,500,000

����
The sums
appropriated for the capital improvement projects shall be expended by the
department of land and natural resources.

����
SECTION 5.

�
Any provision of this Act to the
contrary notwithstanding, the appropriations made for capital improvement
projects authorized under this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal
biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that the appropriations
made to be expended in fiscal biennium 2025-2027 which are unencumbered as of
June 30, 2028 shall lapse as of that date.

����
SECTION 6.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.

����
SECTION 7.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Small
Boat Harbors; Commercial Vessels; DLNR; Bonds; Appropriation

Description:

Increases
harbor fees for commercial vessels.
�

Requires that revenue from the fee increase be used by the Department of
Land and Natural Resources for improvements that primarily benefit commercial
vessels that utilize state small boat harbors.
�

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds with debt service to
be paid from special funds, for repairs of various harbors.
�
Appropriates funds.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.