RELATING TO INFRASTRUCTURE.

SB564

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

564

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating
to Infrastructure
.

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

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SECTION 1.
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(a)
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There is established an infrastructure
working group within the department of transportation for administrative
purposes.
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The working group shall
conduct a comprehensive study to assess the State's port and harbor system and
the potential viability of each location in that system to support current and
future agricultural product transportation methods and needs.

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(b)
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The working group shall consist of the following individuals:

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(1)
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The
deputy director of the harbors division of the department of transportation, or
the deputy director's designee, who shall also serve as chair of the working
group;

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(2)
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The
director of transportation, or the director's designee;

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(3)
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The
chairperson of the board of agriculture, or the chairperson's designee;

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(4)
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The
administrator of the agricultural development division of the department of
agriculture, or the administrator's designee;

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(5)
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The
executive director of the agribusiness development corporation, or the
executive director's designee;

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(6)
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The
director of business, economic development, and tourism, or the director's
designee;

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(7)
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One
engineer, with relevant experience and requisite expertise, who shall be
invited by the chair to participate;

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(8)
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One
civil planner, with relevant experience and requisite expertise, who shall be
invited by the chair to participate;

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(9)
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An
agricultural representative with relevant experience and requisite expertise,
who shall be invited by the chair to participate; and

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(10)
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A
maritime industry representative familiar with transporting agricultural
products with relevant experience and requisite expertise, who shall be invited
by the chair to participate.

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(c)
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The study shall be a comprehensive assessment of Hawaii's shipping port
infrastructure and shall include both qualitative and quantitative data.
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Specifically, the study shall include the
following topics and components:

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(1)
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Agricultural
transportation infrastructure, including assessments of the:

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(A)
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Viability
of each pier in the State's port and harbor system to accommodate chillers;
shade structures; potable water facilities; centralized facilities for
consolidation, deconsolidation, and inspection of agricultural products; and
other infrastructure development important to the agriculture sector;

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(B)
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Surrounding area of each pier in the State's port and harbor
system that is unable to accommodate protective infrastructure, to determine
where protective infrastructure for agriculture products may be accessed or
constructed nearby;

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(C)
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Availability of
chiller trucks and container trailers in the State;

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(D)
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Maximum size of
chiller containers and number of freight vehicles that each pier in the State's
port and harbor system is able to accommodate;

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(E)
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Maximum number of
livestock that each pier in the State's port and harbor system is able to
accommodate in shaded areas; and

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(F)
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Surrounding area
of each pier in the State's port and harbor system where inspection,
quarantining, and destructing of infested products and goods moving between
islands can be conducted;

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(2)
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Port
facilities and layout, including:

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(A)
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Detailed
maps and layout of each shipping port in the State;

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(B)
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Identification
of berths, terminals, and other facilities at each shipping port in the State;
and

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(C)
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Information
on the capacity and handling capabilities of each facility identified in
subparagraph (B);

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(3)
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Infrastructure
condition, including:

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(A)
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Assessment of the current condition of docks, piers, and other
physical structures at each shipping port in the State;

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(B)
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Evaluation of the
condition of road and rail access to each shipping port in the State; and

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(C)
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Inspection of
equipment, including cranes, conveyors, and handling machinery, at each
shipping port in the State;

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(4)
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Evaluation
of the efficiency and reliability of intermodal transportation networks,
including rail, roads, and air, connecting shipping in the State;

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(5)
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Technology
and automation, including:

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(A)
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Identification of the level of technological integration and
automation in handling and processing at each shipping port in the State;

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(B)
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Information on
the use of modern technologies for cargo tracking, security, and efficiency at
each shipping port in the State; and

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(C)
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Assessment of the
readiness for implementation of future technological advancements at each
shipping port in the State;

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(6)
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Safety
and security, including:

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(A)
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Evaluation of current safety measures for workers and protocols to
safeguard products arriving at each shipping port in the State;

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(B)
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Infrastructure and measures for security at
each shipping port in the State, including surveillance systems; and

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(C)
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Evaluation of
emergency response capabilities and plans at each shipping port in the State;

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(7)
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Environmental
impact, including:

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(A)
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Assessment of the environmental impact of operations at each
shipping port in the State;

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(B)
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Evaluation of
compliance with federal and state environmental regulations and sustainability
practices at each shipping port in the State; and

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(C)
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Evaluation of the
efficacy of measures in place to control and prevent pollution at each shipping
port in the State;

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(8)
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Capacity
and utilization, including:

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(A)
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Analysis of current cargo throughput and port capacity at each
shipping port in the State;

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(B)
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Projections for
future growth and potential capacity constraints for imports and inter-island
trade at each shipping port in the State; and

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(C)
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Assessment of
peak demand periods, and handling capabilities during peak demand periods, at
each shipping port in the State;

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(9)
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Regulatory
compliance, including:

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(A)
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Evaluation of compliance with federal, state, and county
regulations at each shipping port in the State; and

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(B)
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Analysis of
permitting processes and any challenges related to regulatory compliance at
each shipping port in the State;

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(10)
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Economic
impact, including:

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(A)
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Assessment of the economic contribution of each shipping port in
the State to the economy of the State and the applicable county; and

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(B)
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Assessment of job
creation and economic development associated with port activities at each
shipping port in the State;

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(11)
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Stakeholder
engagement, including:

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(A)
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Input from key stakeholders, including port authorities, shipping
companies, labor unions, and surrounding residential communities of each
shipping port in the State; and

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(B)
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Compilation and
analysis of public opinion and concerns related to port operations;

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(12)
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Infrastructure
maintenance and upkeep, including:

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(A)
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Evaluation of the routine maintenance practices and procedures
relating to infrastructure at each shipping port in the State; and

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(B)
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Identification
and assessment of plans for infrastructure upgrades and improvements at each
shipping port in the State;

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(13)
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Climate
resilience, including:

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(A)
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Evaluation of the vulnerability of port infrastructure at each
shipping port in the State to climate change; and

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(B)
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Identification of
proposed strategies and plans for enhancing climate change resilience and
adaptation efforts in the State's port and harbor system;

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(14)
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Financial
viability, including:

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(A)
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Assessment of the financial health of operations at each shipping
port in the State; and

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(B)
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Funding sources
for maintenance of, upgrades to, and expansion of each shipping port in the
State;

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(15)
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Analysis
of global trade patterns, the potential impact on activity at each shipping
port in the State, and each shipping port's preparedness for projected shifts
in trade patterns;

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(16)
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Assessment
of the plans and protocols in the State's port and harbor system for responding
to emergencies such as natural disasters or security threats, including
coordination with county emergency services during an emergency; and

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(17)
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Data
and information systems, including:

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(A)
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Assessment of the availability and reliability of data for
monitoring and decision-making in the State's port and harbor system; and

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(B)
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Assessment of
information systems supporting logistics and operations at each shipping port
in the State.

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(d)
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The working group may request information, and shall receive
cooperation, from each executive department and government agency in the State
and each county, as necessary, including the department of the attorney
general; department of business, economic development, and tourism; department
of commerce and consumer protection; department of defense; economic research
organization at the university of Hawaii; State climate commission; office of
planning and sustainable development; and the planning departments of each
county.

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(e)
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The working group shall submit a report of its findings and
recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature by
November 1, 2027.

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(f)
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The department of transportation and the department of agriculture shall
provide to the working group any necessary administrative support, including
the preparation of the report required by subsection (e).

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SECTION 2.
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $
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or so much thereof
as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the purposes of this Act.

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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 3.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Working
Group; DOT; Harbors Division; HDOA; Study; Harbors; Report; Ports; Piers;
Infrastructure; Agriculture; Transportation; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes
a working group within the Department of Transportation to conduct a
comprehensive study to assess the State's port and harbor system and the
potential viability of each location in that system to support current and
future agricultural product transportation methods and needs.
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Requires a report.
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Appropriates moneys.

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