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HCR 120

REQUESTING THE AIRPORTS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO EXPLORE THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING AND IMPLEMENTING A CORPORATION TO MANAGE THE STATE'S AIRPORTS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Darius Kila

Directs a task force to study creating a centralized Hawaii Airports Corporation to manage state airports and report recommendations to the Legislature.

The committee(s) on TRN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
#airports #dot #hawaiiairportscorporation #taskforce
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Bill Summary · HCR 120

Summary: Hawaii HCR 120 (Concurrent Resolution)

Overview

HCR 120 is a concurrent resolution introduced March 19, 2025, calling for the Airports Division of the Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT) to convene a task force to study the feasibility of establishing and implementing an Hawaii Airports Corporation to manage the State’s airports. The measure is non-binding and serves as a legislative inquiry to inform future policy decisions. As of March 2025, the House Transportation (TRN) committee recommended deferral.

Purpose and Intent

  • Recognize the critical role of Hawaii’s airports in economic development, tourism, job creation, and regional connectivity.
  • Explore whether centralizing airport management under a dedicated airports corporation could improve financial flexibility, accelerate infrastructure projects, enhance passenger experience, and sustain long-term competitiveness.
  • Assess benefits, challenges, governance, funding mechanisms, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and overall effectiveness of such a corporation.
  • Gather input from a broad range of stakeholders to develop informed legislative recommendations.

Key Provisions

  • Directs the Airports Division of the Department of Transportation to convene a task force to examine the feasibility of establishing and implementing an airports corporation to manage the State’s airports.
  • Requires the task force to analyze advantages and disadvantages, focusing on:
    • Airport operations and governance
    • Staffing and workforce implications
    • Quality of facilities and “sense of place”
    • Overall effectiveness and regulatory compliance
    • Potential funding mechanisms and financial implications
  • Task force to include:
    • DOT representatives
    • Chairs of the House and Senate transportation committees
    • Representatives from the Hawaii Tourism Authority
    • Representatives from: the airline industry, labor unions, airport businesses, and other relevant stakeholders
  • Mandates a report of findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026.

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • State government: Airports Division within DOT and legislative oversight bodies.
  • Stakeholders: Airline industry, labor unions, airport operators and businesses, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and other related entities.
  • Public: Airport users and travelers who would be impacted by changes in governance, operations, and facility quality (if implemented).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Referred to House Administration (3/24/2025) and previously deferred by the TRN committee (3/20/2025).
  • Hearing/Deliberation: Scheduled consideration by the TRN committee was planned for March 20, 2025.
  • Reporting Deadline: The task force must deliver its report to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2026 Regular Session convenes.
  • Related Legislation: HR 116 is a companion measure (House version).

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • If created, an airports corporation could reorganize governance, potential capital financing, and management of multiple state airports under a single entity.
  • Benefits may include streamlined decision-making, enhanced consistency in facilities and services, and improved project timelines.
  • Risks and questions to address: governance structure, funding, regulatory compliance, transition costs, labor implications, and preservation of public value and sense of place at airports.
  • As a concurrent resolution, the measure is advisory and does not itself create new law or authorize immediate changes; it directs study to inform legislative action.

Related Notes

  • Companion bill: HR 116
  • Given current status (deferral), substantial legislative momentum would require renewed sponsorship and committee action in subsequent sessions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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