STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1300-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2065

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 2065, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FISHING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the possession or use on, in, or near state waters of any unmanned aerial vehicles for the purpose of taking aquatic life.

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

Your Committee finds that in recent years, unmanned aerial vehicles have become a new tool within the fishing community. Drones allow shore fishers to deploy baited hooks farther offshore and more efficiently than traditional shore fishing methods. This practice has resulted in increased interactions with protected species, such as monk seals and turtles, as well as increased user conflicts with boaters, swimmers, divers, surfers, kayakers, and other offshore ocean users. The use of drones has also vastly expanded the footprint of fishing-related tackle becoming debris in the ocean. This measure will help ensure that drones are used in a safe and responsible way.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the term "state waters" to "state marine waters";

(2) Deleting the provision that any person who violates this measure is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both;

(3) Modifying the definition of "unmanned aerial vehicle" to delete the explicit exclusion of remote controlled airplanes;

(4) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(5) 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 S.B. No. 2065, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2065, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair