REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH A DEDICATED PANEL OF COMMISSIONERS TO OVERSEE MATTERS RELATED TO INTRASTATE WATER CARRIERS AND MARITIME COMMERCE.

SCR23

THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

23

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the public utilities commission to establish a
dedicated panel of commissioners to oversee matters related to intrastate water
carriers and maritime commerce
.

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WHEREAS, the
State's intrastate water carriers are essential to the Hawaii's economic
stability and public well‑being as they ensure the reliable movement of
food, fuel, medicine, construction materials, and consumer goods across the
islands; and

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WHEREAS, unlike
most states, Hawaii relies on maritime transportation as a core component of
its internal supply chain rather than a supplemental mode of transport; and

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WHEREAS, regulation
of intrastate water carriers involves highly technical and operational
considerations, including vessel safety, harbor operations, emergency
preparedness, infrastructure investment, workforce requirements, and long-term
maritime system planning; and

����
WHEREAS, the
Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulates intrastate water carriers alongside
electric, gas, telecommunications, and other utilities, despite the
fundamentally distinct operational characteristics of maritime transportation;
and

����
WHEREAS, the
complexity and criticality of maritime transportation warrant specialized
regulatory focus and subject matter expertise to ensure informed, timely, and
consistent decision-making; and

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WHEREAS, the
Department of Transportation, through its Harbors Division, has direct
responsibility for harbor infrastructure and maritime operations and serves as
a key technical and operational partner to intrastate water carriers; and

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WHEREAS, closer
alignment and structured coordination between the PUC's regulatory function and
maritime operational expertise would strengthen regulatory effectiveness
without altering existing statutory authority; and

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WHEREAS, establishing
a dedicated maritime or intrastate commerce panel within the PUC would improve
regulatory clarity, continuity, and capacity as the State advances clean
energy, decarbonization, resilience, and supply-chain security goals; and

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WHEREAS, strengthening
specialized oversight of intrastate water carriers supports supply-chain
resilience, cost containment, emergency response readiness, and long-term
investment certainty for businesses and communities across the State; now,
therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that the
Public Utilities Commission is requested to establish a dedicated panel of
commissioners, or other formal internal structure, to oversee matters related
to intrastate water carriers and maritime commerce; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the PUC is encouraged to ensure that the oversight panel is
supported by appropriate technical expertise, maritime operational knowledge,
and stakeholder engagement to address the unique characteristics of intrastate
maritime transportation; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that this body encourages enhanced coordination between the PUC,
Department of Transportation, maritime operators, labor, and other stakeholders
to inform regulatory decisions and improve system-wide outcomes; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that this body affirms that specialized maritime oversight within the
existing regulatory framework would strengthen interisland supply-chain
resilience, support the State's clean energy transition, and promote reliable
and affordable maritime transportation residents and businesses; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Director
of Transportation; Chair of the Public Utilities Commission; Deputy Director of
Transportation, Harbors Division; and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
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PUC;
DOT; Water Carriers; Maritime Commerce