STAND. COM. REP. NO. 84

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 1016

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1016 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE TAKING OF MARINE LIFE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Clarify that a valid commercial marine vessel license shall satisfy the commercial marine license requirement for all persons aboard a licensed vessel; and

(2) Require any person providing fishing charter services to obtain a commercial marine license.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Ice Partners, LLC; POP Fishing and Marine; Vessel Management Associates, Inc.; United Fishing Agency; Hawaii Longline Association; and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that currently, each individual on a fishing vessel must have their own commercial marine license to participate in a commercial fishing trip. This requirement causes problems when part-time crew members are needed for a trip or visitors are invited on board. This measure would be more convenient and cost effective for Hawaii boat-based fishers by ensuring that everyone on board is covered under one license. This measure also clarifies that any person providing fishing charter services, whether vessel-based or shore-based, must first obtain a commercial marine license.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1016, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1016, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair