Bill Text: HI SB775 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Hawaiian Hoary Bat; State Land Mammal

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2013-12-18 - Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. [SB775 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-SB775-Introduced.html

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

775

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to state land mammal.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) is Hawaii's only endemic land mammal.  This bat, also called the Ōpe‘ape‘a, is a subspecies of the North American hoary bat.  Notably, the Hawaiian hoary bat is the only land mammal whose subspecies is found only in Hawaii.  

     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-flying aerial prey.  A single Hawaiian hoary bat can consume forty percent of its body weight in a single night.

On October 13, 1970, the Hawaiian hoary bat was added to the United States Fish & Wildlife List of Endangered Species.

Population estimates for the bat 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 Hawaiian hoary bat is now absent from historically occupied ranges.

     The purpose of this Act is to raise awareness of the Hawaiian hoary bat as an endangered species and engender awareness of this uniquely Hawaiian land mammal. This Act is designed to recognize the importance of the Hawaiian hoary bat to the State of Hawaii by establishing and designating the Hawaiian hoary bat 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 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 on July 1, 2013.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Hawaiian Hoary Bat; State Land Mammal

 

Description:

Designates the 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.

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