STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1232

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1017

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1017, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CRUSTACEANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to repeal section 188-58.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which prohibits the taking, killing, and possession of female spiny lobsters, Kona crabs, and Samoan crabs to allow the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to regulate the taking, killing, and possession of these animals through administrative rules.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawai‘i Fishermen's Alliance for Conservation and Tradition, Inc.; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that DLNR currently regulates the taking of spiny lobsters, Kona crabs, and Samoan crabs through administrative rules. According to testimony received by your Committee, the existing statutory prohibition on the taking or killing of these female crustaceans may create a sex ratio and size imbalance of these new species, thusly inhibiting successful reproduction. Your Committee further finds that repealing section 188-58.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, would remove any limits on DLNR's ability to effectively manage the spiny lobster, Kona crab, and Samoan crab populations in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1017, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1017, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

________________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair