STAND. COM. REP. NO. 889-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1653

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1653, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to strengthen the penalties for violations of the State's aquatic resources law by:

(1) Establishing a tiered administrative fine system for each specimen of aquatic life taken, killed, or injured;

(2) Establishing a criminal fine structure on a per-specimen basis for violations involving aquatic life;

(3) Authorizing the Department of Land and Natural Resources to recommend community service that benefits the resource damaged when a person is ordered to perform community service in lieu of a fine; and

(4) Authorizing the Department of Land and Natural Resources to recommend to the court probationary terms and conditions restricting defendants from entering specific geographical areas where aquatic resources may be found; fishing activities; and handling, operating, or possessing certain fishing gear or boating equipment.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Mālama Pūpūkae-Waimea and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Ocean Tourism Coalition. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary, Department of the Attorney General, and Department of Land and Natural Resources.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1653, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair