STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1243

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1023

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. 1023, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A NONRESIDENT RECREATIONAL MARINE FISHING LICENSE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a nonresident recreational marine fishing license requirement and fees to enable the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to manage the marine fisheries resources of the State more effectively; and

(2) Require DLNR to adopt rules to implement this license.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from For the Fishes.

Your Committee finds that nonresident recreational fishers directly benefit from enjoyment of Hawaii's marine fishery resources without directly contributing to management of those resources. This measure establishes a nonresident recreational marine license and associated fees to provide DLNR with an additional source of revenue to manage the marine resources of the State more effectively.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2022; and

(2) 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. 1023, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1023, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair