CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 55

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 1313

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1313, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SPORT FISH,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish, no later than January 1, 2023, a pilot project in the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to restock northern largemouth bass, butterfly peacock bass, or both, in the Wahiawa public fishing area in central Oahu; and

(2) Require the Division of Aquatic Resources to apply to the Board of Agriculture for the permit to import the northern largemouth bass and work with another public entity or partner with a private entity to accomplish the pilot project.

Your Committee on Conference finds that the northern largemouth bass and butterfly peacock bass are some of the most popular gamefish in the United States; however, bass fishing in Hawaii is far less popular than in other states, partially because of the lack of a diverse population of these sport fish in Hawaii's artificial reservoirs. Placing the northern largemouth bass and the butterfly peacock bass on the Restricted Animal List, Part B, would allow the Department of Land and Natural Resources the ability to import and restock the Wahiawa public fishing area to refresh the genetic diversity of these fish populations while minimizing the risk of spread or possible introduction to other bodies of water. This measure would thereby enhance and support the pre‑existing populations for continued recreational fishing in Hawaii.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Providing that the pilot project shall be established provided that the Board of Agriculture has placed the northern largemouth bass and butterfly peacock bass on the list of restricted animals that require a permit for both import into the State and possession, pursuant to section 150A-6.2, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2021; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1313, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1313, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS Co-Chair	____________________________ MIKE GABBARD Chair
____________________________ AARON LING JOHANSON Co-Chair	____________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE Co-Chair
____________________________ TY J.K. CULLEN Co-Chair	____________________________ KARL RHOADS Co-Chair
	____________________________ GILBERT S.C. KEITH-AGARAN Co-Chair