STAND. COM. REP. NO. 844

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1240

       S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 1240, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUATIC LIFE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit proposed legislation to the Legislature by the Regular Session of 2019, which includes a definition of "sustainable", a policy for sustainable collection practices of near shore aquatic life, and limits on collection.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, The Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, For the Fishes, Ocean Tourism Coalition, and one hundred thirty-four individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from six individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Snorkel Bob's Hawaii, and four individuals.

     Your Committee finds that ensuring the sustainability of aquatic life and the protection of coral reefs in Hawaii waters is vital to the long-term interests of the people of Hawaii.  Your Committee further finds that it is imperative for the long-term protection of marine resources to determine what is sustainable and to establish a policy for sustainable collection practices of near shore aquatic life.  This measure will provide the necessary data regarding the numbers of various species of aquarium fish in the waters around Oahu and the effects of current collection practices in order to develop appropriate and effective laws to preserve and ensure the sustainability of Hawaii's aquatic life.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Land and Natural Resources to include in its proposed legislation any additional resources required by the Department; and

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of January 7, 2059, to encourage further discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1240, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1240, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,

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GILBERT S.C. KEITH-AGARAN, Chair