HR 128: strongly supporting the construction of a floating drydock at pearl harbor.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

strongly supporting the construction of a floating drydock at pearl harbor.

     WHEREAS, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard serves as a critical component of the United States Navy's Pacific Fleet maintenance and readiness efforts, providing essential ship repair, overhaul, and modernization services; and

     WHEREAS, construction of a floating drydock at Pearl Harbor would expand the shipyard's capacity to service submarines and surface vessels, thereby strengthening national defense; and

     WHEREAS, establishing a new floating drydock would also generate significant economic benefits for Hawaii, create high‑paying jobs, attract investment, and foster workforce development opportunities within the State's maritime and defense industries; and

     WHEREAS, Act 45, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, authorized the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds for the purpose of assisting Pearl Harbor Floating Drydock, LLC, a Hawaii corporation, for the construction of a purpose-built floating drydock at Pearl Harbor to service submarines and surface ships; and

     WHEREAS, although later cost estimates for the floating drydock were considerably higher than the authorized amount for the special purpose revenue bonds and they ultimately were never issued, the need for a floating drydock remains; and

     WHEREAS, continued investment in modern ship maintenance infrastructure aligns with the United States Navy's strategic objectives and reinforces Hawaii's role as a key hub for the Navy's operations in the Pacific; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Legislature expresses its strong support for the construction of a floating drydock at Pearl Harbor; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Navy, the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, and the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation.

Report Title:

Pearl Harbor; Floating Drydock; Support

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1678

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.R. No. 128

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred H.R. No. 128 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION STRONGLY SUPPORTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FLOATING DRYDOCK AT PEARL HARBOR,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to express the House of Representatives' strong support for the construction of a floating drydock at Pearl Harbor, citing the project's impact on national security and economic development.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the Military Affairs Council, Pacific Shipyards International, and two individuals.

     Your Committee recognizes the public's call for greater transparency with the legislative process, specifically when Committee Chairs defer a bill or resolution. While the Vice Chair's initial recommendation was to not pass this resolution; instead of unilaterally deferring it without a vote, she recommended a Hold, which requires a vote. Before voting, the Vice Chair stated that if her recommendation to hold failed, she would subsequently make the recommendation to pass the resolution.

Your Committee recognizes that in the past, there had been a negative connotation with the practice of recommending a Hold; however, a Hold is the only mechanism available to defer a bill with a vote. The Vice Chair's initial recommendation to Hold the resolution did not have sufficient votes.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee ultimately concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 128 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Water and Land.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,