Bill Text: HI HB1911 | 2014 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii House Bill 1911 (Prior Session Legislation)

HI State Legislature page for HB1911

Bill Title: DLNR; Fishing; Fishing License; Study; Appropriation ($)

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2014-03-21 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [HB1911 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-HB1911-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1911
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AQUATIC RESOURCES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the protection of aquatic resources is important for cultural, economic, and environmental reasons. Wise management of aquatic resources is necessary to ensure that these resources are available for future generations.

The legislature also finds that fishing licensing programs are an effective way to protect and conserve aquatic resources. Currently, the State requires persons who take marine life for commercial purposes to first obtain a commercial marine license. State law also requires commercial marine licensees, upon request from the department of land and natural resources, to provide the department with a report of marine life taken. However, there are no equivalent licensing or reporting requirements for noncommercial marine fishing. The implementation of a noncommercial fishing license program and the gathering of more accurate data relating to the species of fish that are taken, the amounts that are taken, and the areas of the State from which fish are taken would allow the department of land and natural resources to more effectively manage the State's aquatic resources.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Require the department of land and natural resources to conduct a study examining the feasibility of establishing a noncommercial fishing license program; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the department to conduct the study.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of land and natural resources shall conduct a study examining the feasibility of establishing a noncommercial fishing license program. The study shall consider:

(1) Whether a noncommercial fishing license program should be established;

(2) Terms and conditions for licensure;

(3) Fees that should be imposed upon licensees;

(4) Whether there should be differentiated fees for residents and nonresidents;

(5) How moneys collected under the noncommercial fishing license program should be used, including amounts of moneys used for administering the program, management of aquatic resources, enforcement, and community outreach and education;

(6) Native Hawaiian traditional and customary gathering;

(7) Whether there should be limits on fish that may be taken;

(8) Establishment of reporting requirements for fish taken, including data relating to species taken, amount of fish taken, and areas of the State from which fish are taken;

(9) The establishment of an online reporting system, and the cost to the department thereof;

(10) The cost of implementing a noncommercial fishing license program;

(11) Whether fishing should be restricted in certain areas;

(12) Penalties that should be imposed for violation of rules adopted under the noncommercial fishing license program; and

(13) Any other matters deemed necessary to examine the feasibility.

(b) The department of land and natural resources may consult with the various counties, the University of Hawaii, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and any other agency or private entity that it deems appropriate to conduct the study.

SECTION 3. The department of land and natural resources shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2015.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $25,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the department of land and natural resources to conduct a study examining the feasibility of establishing a noncommercial fishing license program, including the retention of necessary and appropriate consultants and professionals.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014.

Report Title:

DLNR; Fishing; Fishing License; Study; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a study examining the feasibility of establishing a noncommercial fishing license program. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.