Opinion ID: 2515085
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Legislative Proceedings: Act 2

Text: On October 23, 2007, Governor Linda Lingle issued a Proclamation convening both houses of the legislature in special session to consider legislation on two issues, including legislation to allow the immediate commencement of operation of a large capacity inter-island ferry. Both houses of the legislature convened in the second special session of the 2007 Legislature on October 24, 2007. On November 2, 2007, A Bill for An Act Relating to Transportation was signed by the governor and became Act 2.2d Spec. Sess.2007 Haw. Sess. Laws Act 2, งง 1-18 at 5-21. The purpose of the act was stated as follows: (d) The purpose of this Act is to facilitate the establishment of inter-island ferry service and, at the same time, protect Hawaii's fragile environment by clarifying that neither the preparation of an [EA], nor a finding of no significant impact, nor acceptance of an environmental impact statement shall be a condition precedent to, or otherwise be required prior to: (1) The operation of a large capacity ferry vessel company pursuant to any certificate of public convenience and necessity approved by the public utilities commission; (2) The operation of a large capacity ferry vessel company and large capacity ferry vessel between any port or harbor in Hawaii pursuant to any written operating agreement; (3) The construction, use, or operation of any improvements at Kahului harbor and any other harbor in the state relating to the operation of a large capacity ferry vessel company or large capacity ferry vessel; (4) The appropriation or expenditure of any funds, the use of state lands, the issuance of any permits, or the entering into of any agreements; or (5) The taking of any other necessary or appropriate actions for the purpose of facilitating any matter covered by paragraphs (1) to (4), notwithstanding the fact that the non-preparation or non-completion of environmental assessments or environmental impact statements, the lack of acceptance of an environmental impact statement, or the lack of a finding of no significant impact, would otherwise have barred, delayed, been a condition precedent to, or interfered with the same; provided that upon commencement of inter-island ferry service, the large capacity ferry vessel company shall comply with the conditions and protocols established under this Act, and with any additional conditions and protocols set by the governor by executive order, or subsequently established by the legislature by law. (e) The purpose of this Act is also to amend all relevant existing laws to provide that, while any environmental review and studies, including environmental assessments or environmental impact statements, are prepared and following their completion: (1) A large capacity ferry vessel company and large capacity ferry vessels may operate; (2) Agreements with respect to such operation, including the operating agreements, entered into between the State and a large capacity ferry vessel company may be enforced, executed, or re-executed; and (3) Related harbor improvements may be constructed and used by the State, by a large capacity ferry vessel company, and by others. Act 2, ง 1(d)-(e) at 6-7. On November 4, 2007, the governor notified the legislature that she had established conditions and protocols pursuant to Act 2 in Executive Order No. 07-10, which establishes conditions and protocols for a large capacity ferry vessel company's inter-island operations. Pursuant to Act 2 and the additional conditions provided by Executive Order No. 07-10, Superferry and the State of Hawai`i executed an agreement on November 4, 2007, wherein Superferry agreed to abide by conditions and protocols that reflected those established in Executive Order No. 07-10. The agreement stated that it shall remain in full force and effect at all times Act 2 is in effect. Act 2 provides that it shall be repealed on the earlier of (1) The forty-fifth day, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, following adjournment sine die of the regular session of 2009; or (2) Upon acceptance of the final environmental impact statement as provided in this Act[.] Act 2, ง 18 at 20. By its own express language, Act 2 will be repealed no later than July 31, 2009, and thus has a maximum viability of twenty-one months. See infra Part IV.A.2.c.i.