SB 1640: RELATING TO EMERGENCY CHARTER AIR SERVICES.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EMERGENCY CHARTER AIR SERVICES.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that access to emergency air transportation is critical to ensuring public safety and responding effectively to urgent situations.  In cases where no other air services are available, the lack of a dependable charter air service can impede disaster response, public safety operations, and essential state functions.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the air carrier commission to enter into a contract with a qualified charter air service provider to secure emergency air transportation services.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 261E, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§261E-    Emergency charter air services.  (a)  The commission shall enter into a contract with a qualified charter air service provider to ensure the availability of emergency air transportation in cases of emergency when no other air transportation service is available.

     (b)  The contract shall require the qualified charter air service provider to:

     (1)  Provide services within twenty-four hours of receiving notice from the commission;

     (2)  Provide a minimum of five flights per month for emergency purposes; and

     (3)  Maintain all certifications, licenses, and insurance required by state and federal law.

     (c)  Any department or agency of the State may utilize the qualified charter air service provider for emergency air transportation.  Any department or agency utilizing the charter air service provider shall reimburse the commission for the cost of the flight services, as determined by the terms of the contract.

     (d)  The commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, including but not limited to the procedures for requesting and reimbursing the costs of charter air services."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the air carrier commission to enter into a contract with a qualified charter air service provider to provide emergency air transportation in accordance with section 2 of this Act.

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

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Air Carrier Commission; Emergency Charter Air Services; Emergencies; Contracts; Emergency Air Transportation; Appropriations

Description:

Requires the Air Carrier Commission to enter into a contract with a qualified charter air service provider to secure emergency air transportation services in cases of emergency when no other air service is available.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EMERGENCY CHARTER AIR SERVICES.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that access to emergency air transportation is critical to ensuring public safety and responding effectively to urgent situations.  In cases where no other air services are available, the lack of a dependable charter air service can impede disaster response, public safety operations, and essential state functions.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the air carrier commission to enter into a contract with a qualified charter air service provider to secure emergency air transportation services.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 261E, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§261E-    Emergency charter air services.  (a)  The commission shall enter into a contract with a qualified charter air service provider to ensure the availability of emergency air transportation in cases of emergency when no other air transportation service is available.

     (b)  The contract shall require the qualified charter air service provider to:

     (1)  Provide services within twenty-four hours of receiving notice from the commission;

     (2)  Provide a minimum of five flights per month for emergency purposes; and

     (3)  Maintain all certifications, licenses, and insurance required by state and federal law.

     (c)  Any department or agency of the State may utilize the qualified charter air service provider for emergency air transportation.  Any department or agency utilizing the charter air service provider shall reimburse the commission for the cost of the flight services, as determined by the terms of the contract.

     (d)  The commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, including but not limited to the procedures for requesting and reimbursing the costs of charter air services."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the air carrier commission to enter into a contract with a qualified charter air service provider to provide emergency air transportation in accordance with section 2 of this Act.

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

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

Air Carrier Commission; Emergency Charter Air Services; Emergencies; Contracts; Emergency Air Transportation; Appropriations

Description:

Requires the Air Carrier Commission to enter into a contract with a qualified charter air service provider to secure emergency air transportation services in cases of emergency when no other air service is available.  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.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 618

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1640

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 1640 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY CHARTER AIR SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Require the Air Carrier Commission to enter into a contract with a qualified charter air service provider to secure emergency air transportation in cases of emergency when no other air service is available; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds. 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that due to the unique geographic layout of the State, residents across the Hawaiian Islands often face challenges accessing safe and efficient transportation when air travel options are limited.  If the normal sources of air travel are not available for any reason, existing law does not sufficiently provide for alternatives to facilitate emergency transportation via aviation when maritime transport methods are unavailable, inappropriate, or overly burdensome.  This measure will address the existing gap in transportation services and ensure the continuous availability of emergency air transportation.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1640, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1640, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,