Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SB2694: Relating to Water Carriers.
Status: Signed into law, May 19, 2026
Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to establish automatic adjustment mechanisms to address economic factors sua sponte or on application by a water carrier. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a water carrier inflationary cost index automatic adjustment mechanism. Authorizes the Public Utilities Commissions to waive or exempt any water carrier from any requirement under the Hawaii Water Carrier Act.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to water carriers.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WATER CARRIERS. SECTION 1. Chapter 271G, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as water carrier inflationary cost index automatic adjustment mechanism. (a) The commission shall establish automatic adjustment mechanisms for water carriers subject to this chapter to address inflation, regulatory lag, and other economic factors. These mechanisms may be initiated and established by the commission or upon application by a water carrier. As provided in section 271G-17(f), these mechanisms shall be submitted as a forty-five-day tariff transmittal filing or as part of a general rate case application. (b) By July 1, 2026, the commission shall establish a water carrier inflationary cost index automatic adjustment mechanism for each water carrier of property. The mechanism: 2026-2557 SB2694 GDI SMA-l.docx Page S.B. NO. ^2 H.D. C.D. (1) Shall reflect the applicable annual percentage change in the increase of wharfage rates set by the department of transportation's harbors division, pursuant to applicable administrative rules; (2) Shall be applied on an annual basis through June 30, 2029, in accordance with subsection (c); (3) May be applied on an annual basis beginning July 1, 2029, through June 30, 2033, in accordance with subsection (d); and (4) Shall be not more than five per cent per year. (c) Beginning …
Sponsors
- Lorraine Inouye (D, 1) · primary sponsor
- Lamosao, Rachele (D, 19)
Latest actions
- : Act 016, on 05/19/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1116).
- : Act 016, 05/19/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1116).
- : Enrolled to Governor.
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Reyes Oda, Souza voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Amato, Belatti, Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Grandinetti, Iwamoto, Kapela, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Lowen, Perruso, Pierick, Poepoe, Shimizu, Tam voting no (15) and Representative(s) Alcos excused (1).
- : Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
- : Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
- : Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 232-26) as amended in (CD 1).
- : 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
Votes
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 6, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Reyes Oda, Souza voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Amato, Belatti, Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Grandinetti, Iwamoto, Kapela, Keohokap (May 6, 2026): 35 yea, 15 nay, passed
- Representative(s) Pierick. (May 1, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (May 1, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Ilagan, Iwamoto, Kapela, Lowen, Marten, Matsumoto, Pierick, P (April 14, 2026): 37 yea, 13 nay, passed
- CPC: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 9, 2026): 9 yea, 2 nay, passed
Subjects: Water Carriers, Report, DOT
Common questions
- What is SB2694?
- SB2694 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Water Carriers.
- What does SB2694 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to water carriers.
- What is the status of SB2694?
- Signed into law as of May 19, 2026. Latest action: Act 016, on 05/19/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1116). (May 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB2694?
- Lorraine Inouye (D, 1), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB2694?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2694&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.