CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 55-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2065

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 2065, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FISHING,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the possession or use of unmanned aerial vehicles on, in, or near state marine waters for purposes of fishing, unless permitted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee on Conference finds that unmanned aerial vehicles are increasingly used in the fishing industry for a variety of purposes, including the deployment of fishing hooks further offshore than traditional fishing methods. While such methods increase fishing efficiency, they also present new risks to marine ecosystems. This measure prohibits unpermitted use of unmanned aerial vehicles for fishing purposes to better preserve marine wildlife and prevent environmental damage.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2065, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2065, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS Co-Chair	____________________________ MIKE GABBARD Chair
____________________________ MARK M. NAKASHIMA Co-Chair	____________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE Co-Chair