STAND. COM. REP. NO. 896-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1554

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1554, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUATIC RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Expand the Department of Land and Natural Resources' rulemaking authority to include any rule to impose restrictions or requirements deemed necessary to protect certain aquatic life; and

(2) Expand the Board of Land and Natural Resources' authority to temporarily adopt, amend, or repeal certain natural resource rules by formal action at a publicly noticed meeting if the Board finds that such adoption, amendment, or repeal is necessary to implement effective and adaptive management measures in light of newly available technology or data.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo; Miloliʻi Makai Watch; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is tasked with managing and administering the aquatic life and aquatic resources of the State. However, your Committee finds that the Department's rulemaking authority with respect to aquatic life and aquatic resources is limited, and the Department is unable to take action on many issues affecting aquatic life and aquatic resources. This measure broadens the Department's rulemaking authority to adequately address issues pertaining to aquatic life and aquatic resources.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1554, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair