STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2058

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: S.B. No. 2794

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2794 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SECTION 17 OF ACT 85, SESSION LAWS OF HAWAII 1999,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend Act 85, Session Laws of Hawaii 1999, to remove the sunset provision.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

Your Committee finds that Act 85 essentially removed much of the existing statutory language regulating the taking of marine life, such as through minimum sizes for sale, catch limits, and closed seasons, allowing DLNR through rulemaking and community outreach, to review and update these rules. The change was temporary and the statutes are to return to their original language on June 30, 2002.

Your Committee has heard that DLNR is currently conducting a comprehensive review and updating of all fishing regulations. The minimum size revisions currently underway in Hawaii Administrative Rules, Chapter 13-95, are the first step to implement these changes. In the process, DLNR has held ten statewide public meetings to discuss these changes, with the majority of comments in support of these proposals.

Your Committee is supportive of this measure, which will allow DLNR to continue reviewing and updating fishery regulations.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2794 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment,

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair