Bill > SCR180

This concurrent resolution requests the Department of Transportation (DOT) to collect and publicly share comprehensive safety information about commercial air tour operators in Hawaii to help residents and visitors make informed decisions about helicopter tours. Specifically, the resolution asks the DOT to annually gather data from operators about safety features like crash-resistant fuel systems, flotation devices, terrain awareness systems, and technological equipment, as well as operational details such as minimum pilot hours and insurance coverage. The DOT is also requested to track and publicize safety incidents, complaints, and develop a scoring system that would assign letter grades or overall safety rankings to different tour operators, with the top-performing operator to be recognized as the "Safest Commercial Air Tour Operator" each year. The resolution highlights the significant safety concerns in Hawaii's helicopter tour industry, noting over forty crashes since 2000 resulting in approximately fifty fatalities, and aims to increase transparency and encourage operators to adopt better safety practices. The DOT would be required to make this information easily accessible online and share it with the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and submit an annual report to the Legislature detailing the collected safety information.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SCR&billnumber=180&year=2025