STAND. COM. REP. NO. 325-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2211

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2211 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL MARINE LICENSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the commercial marine license statute to:

(1) Require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to issue commercial marine licenses for the taking of marine life for commercial purposes;

(2) Specify that a single commercial marine vessel license satisfies the licensure requirement for all persons aboard the licensed vessel; and

(3) Require any person providing fishing charter services to obtain a commercial marine license.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Longline Association, Lokahi Fishing LLC, Tropic Fish Hawaii LLC, Fresh Island Fish Co., Coral Fish Hawaii, Aiea Boat Club, Waialua Boat Club, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and HFACT.

Your Committee finds that existing commercial marine license laws prove burdensome for many small-scale commercial fishers. Your Committee also finds that there exists confusion as to whether shore-based fishing charters are required to obtain a commercial marine license. This measure addresses both issues by simplifying the commercial marine licensure requirements to clarify that a commercial marine license is required for all taking of marine life for commercial purposes and that a single commercial marine license is sufficient to cover the fishing activities of all persons aboard a validly-licensed vessel.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

(2) 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, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2211, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2211, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair