The House Committee on Transportation advanced SB 2746 SD2 on March 14, inserting language from a similar House draft and passing the measure with technical amendments and a placeholder effective date.

Supporters including ILWU Local 142 and longshore workers said the bill targets foreign and domestic carriers that operate as their own ship agents, tie their own mooring lines and bypass local oversight. Brandon Wolf, speaking for ILWU Local 142, characterized the change as a public‑safety measure aimed at reducing illegal cargo flows, contraband and other security risks; he emphasized the measure would not affect longshore or tug-and‑barge operations that are carved out and exempted.

The committee noted substantial public support and several hundred individual testimonies in favor; opposition testimony included harbor merchant groups concerned about cost and operational impacts, which the committee said it would address through exemptions and clarifying language. Members said the committee would insert content substantially similar to H.B. 91936 HD2 into SB 2746 SD2 and flagged the need to specify which entity would provide certification and recertification of covered employees in the final text and committee report.

The chair said the measure, as amended, will move forward with a defective/placeholder effective date of 07/01/3000 and technical edits for clarity and carve‑outs for tug and barge operations.

Ending: The committee passed SB 2746 SD2 with amendments and directed staff to clarify which entity will provide certifications and to preserve exemptions for in‑state tug and barge operators.