Bill Text: HI HB1274 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Sport Fish.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-12-10 - Carried over to 2022 Regular Session. [HB1274 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-HB1274-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1274 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO SPORT FISH.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the northern largemouth bass and butterfly peacock bass, also known as tucunare, are some of the most popular gamefish in the United States, with northern largemouth bass existing in the State's artificial reservoirs since 1896, and butterfly peacock bass existing since 1957. More than 828,000 jobs nationally are directly supported in some way by bass fishing and more than $48,000,000,000 in retail sales are directly attributed to bass fishing activities. Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Vermont all recognize bass fishing as a high school sport.
The legislature further finds that based upon fishing licenses issued by the department of land and natural resources to fish for northern largemouth bass and butterfly peacock bass, bass fishing in the State is far less popular than in other states. One reason for the small number of anglers fishing for bass is the lack of a diverse population of these sport fish in Hawaii's artificial reservoirs. Restocking the reservoirs with new stocks of northern largemouth bass and butterfly peacock bass will refresh the genetic diversity of these fish populations. The legislature further finds that the board of agriculture can already allow the importation of butterfly peacock bass and establish appropriate permit conditions, since it is already on the list of conditionally approved animals and is eligible for importation. The legislature also finds that the department of land and natural resources will need to request the board of land and natural resources to place the northern largemouth bass on the conditionally approved animals list.
The purpose of this Act is to establish a pilot project in the department of land and natural resources to work with local private organizations to import live northern largemouth bass and butterfly peacock bass for the purpose of enhancing and supporting the pre-existing populations for continued recreational fishing in Hawaii.
SECTION 2. No later than January 1, 2022, the division of aquatic resources of the department of land and natural resources shall establish a pilot project to restock northern largemouth bass, butterfly peacock bass, or both, in the Wahiawa public fishing area in central Oahu. The division of aquatic resources shall apply to the department 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.
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2050.
Report Title:
DLNR; DOA; Pilot Project; Northern Largemouth Bass; Butterfly Peacock Bass; Sport Fishing; Import
Description:
Requires the division of aquatic resources of the department of land and natural resources to establish a pilot project to restock the Wahiawa public fishing area with northern largemouth bass, butterfly peacock bass, or both. Effective 1/1/2050. (HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
