[MantaReport] Strongly Oppose HB2474, HB2475, HB2476, HB2477

Tue Jan 30 22:41:36 PST 2024

Aloha!

Fast action needed. DOBOR is at it again. Trying to tighten the noose
already around our business's necks and add new ones.

TESTIMONY DUE BEFORE 9:00AM ON WEDNESDAY 1/31/2024. Links are below.

In a nutshell:

*HB2474*           Would allow DOBOR to pass a rule for 18 months without
public input.

*HB2475*           Expands the definition of commercial activity.

*HB2476*           Creates ORMAs on all coastlines and prohibits commercial
activity on weekends                           and holidays.

*HB2477*           Specifies that the Department of Land and Natural
Resources can issue new ocean recreation commercial use permits by unsealed
public auction.

*HB1809*           The bill tries to ensure that when the DLNR-DOBOR
establishes a new ORMA, the state will issue sufficient permits to
safeguard the interests of commercial operators within the designated area.

Here are some possible positions on each bill.  Please share throughout
your network

___________________________________________________________________________________

*HB1809*           The bill tries to ensure that when the DLNR-DOBOR
establishes a new ORMA, the state will issue sufficient permits to
safeguard the interests of commercial operators within the designated area.

Submit Testimony HB1804

(
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1809&year=2024
)

*___________________________________________________________________________________*

*HB2474 – Would allow DOBOR to pass a rule for 18 months without public
input*.

*Allegedly this is to address new and emerging water sport technologies.
However it does not state that it couldn’t be used against existing water
sports and activities.  They could make a rule and shut down any industry
for 18 months. No ifs, ands or buts. *

Submit Testimony HB2474  (
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2474&year=2024
)

*___________________________________________________________________________________*

*HB2475 – Expands the definition of commercial activity.*

            *It seems like they just want to create new avenues to impose
fees, taxes and increase revenues.*

Submit Testimony HB2475 (
https://oceantourismcoalition.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db44ff4a105e98ec62b23642b&id=d8ced6eeb1&e=98f68e2daf
)

___________________________________________________________________________________

*HB2476 – Creates ORMAs on all coastlines and prohibits commercial activity
on weekends and holidays*

*You’re not open for business on all weekends and holidays. About 112 days
per year, not    including days that weather interrupts business.*

Submit Testimony HB2476 (
https://oceantourismcoalition.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db44ff4a105e98ec62b23642b&id=4557f91f87&e=98f68e2daf
)

*___________________________________________________________________________________*

*HB2477 – Specifies that the Department of Land and Natural Resources can
issue new ocean recreation commercial use permits by unsealed public
auction.*

*Existing commercial permits should be maintained. That new permits should
be awarded to best qualified applicants and not by lottery or bidding. You
don’t get admitted to University of Hawaii by auction or lottery.  You
don’t get a  license to practice law or medicine in Hawaii by bids or
lottery.*

Submit Testimony HB2477  (
https://oceantourismcoalition.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db44ff4a105e98ec62b23642b&id=ad514c2118&e=98f68e2daf
)-

TESTIMONY DUE BEFORE 9:00AM ON WEDNESDAY 1/31/2024

Testimony is due before 9:00 a.m. Wednesday (tomorrow) morning to oppose
some of the harshest DLNR bills in the last 10 years.  Please submit your
testimony before 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.  The actual hearing for the bills is
on Thursday (2/1/2024) at 9:00 a.m.    OTC and other members will be
traveling to Oahu, please join us.  If you cannot attend in person, zoom is
available.   Please ask your captains

It will always be my position that safety and sustainability should be job
number one in the commercial ocean recreation industry.

In 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023 we supported legislation to require that
commercial ocean recreation businesses, that allow passengers into the
water, shall have at least one crew member trained in in water supervision
and rescue training, such as Life Guard, Rescue Diver or Dive Master.
(which includes CPR, First Aid, AED & O2) DLNR and DOBOR testified against
the legislation in every session.  A no funding required, no brainer that
could be implemented slowly to improve safety and sustainability.

*Accidental drowning is the number cause of death to visitors to Hawaii and
yet the state does nothing to improve safety of commercial ocean
recreation. Instead DOBOR spends year trying to implement cumbersome rules
to manage an industry rather than simply require increased work force
development.  To prepare food on a commercial vessel a crew member must
have a food handlers card.  To serve alcohol on a commercial vessel a crew
member must have an alcohol servers card. But to take people into the ocean
that may not know how to swim requires no training.  In fact you need to
pass a test for most any state sanctioned commercial activity other than
Ocean Recreation. Think about it.  When you, your friends, your family,
whoever, pays to go on a professional, commercial ocean recreation trip,
don’t you want someone to be trained and prepared to help should an
accident happen?*
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