Bill Text: HI HB1847 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Environmental Protection.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-03-16 - The hearing on this measure has been cancelled until further notice. [HB1847 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-HB1847-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1847 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that coral reefs in Hawaii and across the globe have been subject to immense stress in recent decades because of human-caused climate change and other factors including warming ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, severe storms, coastal development, overfishing, and pollution from wastewater, stormwater runoff, and sunscreen chemicals. Coral reefs, sometimes referred to as the rainforests of the ocean, are one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet and provide a habitat for many rare and endangered species. These reefs are also immeasurably important to Hawaii's economy and way of life, including Hawaii's tourism industry, food supply, recreation, and coastal protection.
The legislature also finds that record-setting temperatures have led to several wide-spread coral bleaching events in Hawaii's waters in recent years. Coral bleaching occurs when corals are stressed by increasing temperatures and exposure to pollutants causing coral polyps to expel the symbiotic algae that live in coral tissue. This causes corals to turn white, and makes corals more vulnerable to disease, starvation, and decay.
Following a bleaching event, macro algae can overtake a reef and prevent reef recovery and the return of the symbiotic algae that corals depend on. High nutrient levels in polluted waters and the absence of a sufficient amount of herbivorous fish to graze on the algae and prevent overgrowth make these algal blooms more likely to occur.
The legislature acknowledges that while Hawaii's laws offer herbivorous fish some protections in marine protected areas and fish replenishment areas, the legislature believes that ensuring healthy populations of herbivorous fish in all of Hawaii's waters is essential to protect Hawaii's coral reefs from extinction.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of land and natural resources to adopt rules to protect the herbivorous fish that are necessary for the health of coral reefs throughout the State.
SECTION 2. The department of land and natural resources shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to protect herbivorous fish in all fresh, brackish, or salt waters of the State, including but not limited to coastal waters, streams, rivers, drainage ditches, ponds, reservoirs, canals, ground waters, and lakes.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
DLNR; Herbivorous Fish; Protection; Rulemaking
Description:
Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules to protect herbivorous fish in all state waters. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
