Bill Text: HI SB1183 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Opeapea; State Land Mammal
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2015-04-23 - Act 013, 4/22/2015 (Gov. Msg. No. 1113). [SB1183 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2015-SB1183-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1183 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO STATE land MAMMAL.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The Ōpe‘ape‘a, otherwise known as the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus), is Hawaii's only endemic land mammal and is a subspecies found only in Hawaii. This bat is a subspecies of the North American hoary bat.
An adult Hawaiian hoary has an approximate twelve to fifteen inch wingspan, weighs approximately as much as a mouse, and flies at a speed of up to sixty miles per hour while pursuing mosquitoes, insects, and other night-land aerial prey. A single Hawaiian hoary bat can consume forty percent of its body weight in a single night.
On October 13, 1970, the Ōpe‘ape‘a (Hawaiian hoary bat) was added to the United States Fish & Wildlife List of Endangered Species. Population estimates for the Ōpe‘ape‘a have ranged from hundreds to a few thousand. The magnitude of any current population decline is unknown; however, observation and specimen records suggest that the Ōpe‘ape‘a is now absent from historically occupied ranges.
The purpose of this Act is to designate the Ōpe‘ape‘a as the state land mammal and raise awareness of the Ōpe‘ape‘a as an endangered species and engender awareness of this uniquely Hawaiian land mammal.
This Legislature finds that preserving the Ōpe‘ape‘a which is found only in Hawaii is important to Hawaii's heritage and culture. The Legislature also finds this Act is designed to recognize the importance of the Ōpe‘ape‘a to the State of Hawaii by establishing and designating the Ōpe‘ape‘a as the official state land mammal.
SECTION 2. Chapter 5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§5-___ State land mammal. The Ōpe‘ape‘a, otherwise known as the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus), is established and designated as the official land mammal of the State."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Ōpe‘ape‘a; State Land Mammal
Description:
Designates the Ōpe‘ape‘a (aka Hawaiian hoary bat) as the state land mammal.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
