Bill Text: HI HB755 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Aquatic Nuisance Species.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Engrossed) 2023-12-11 - Carried over to 2024 Regular Session. [HB755 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HB755-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
755 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature further finds that aquatic nuisance species can also be introduced into state waters through discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel, other than ballast water and hull fouling.
The legislature further finds that the increase in global trade and transportation, as well as climate change, can result in unknown or previously benign aquatic plants, animals, and pathogens becoming invasive.
The legislature further finds that part III of chapter 187A, "Alien Aquatic Organisms", should be amended to permit the department to address incidental discharges other than ballast water and biofouling, reflect the relationship between state and federal laws related to aquatic nuisance species, establish penalties sufficient to deter violations, and remove outdated terminology.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Authorize the department of land and natural resources to prevent and respond to the introduction of aquatic nuisance species from discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel other than ballast water and hull fouling;
(2) Contemplate the relationship between the federal Vessel Incidental Discharge Act of 2018 (title IX of P.L. 115-282) and state law;
(3) Provide penalties that will deter violations and prevent the introduction of aquatic nuisance species; and
(4) Update outdated terminology.
SECTION 2. Part III of chapter 187A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:
1. By adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read:
"§187A‑ Rules. (a) The department may adopt rules to prevent and
respond to the introduction of aquatic nuisance species from discharges
incidental to the normal operation of a vessel.
(b) The rules may include:
(1) Standards for the department and the
United States Coast Guard to use as part of their respective inspection
protocols; and
(2) Requirements for preventive measures
and best management practices that will reduce the risk of introduction of
aquatic nuisance species.
(c) The rules may also include implementation of
a course of action in relation to the arrival or pending arrival of a vessel,
including a high risk vessel.
(d) Notwithstanding subsection (a) or any other
law to the contrary, if the federal government adopts any regulations under
VIDA for a discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel related to
aquatic nuisance species or that otherwise preempts any rule adopted under this
part, the VIDA regulation shall be deemed to be a rule adopted by the
department.
(e) The governor may enter into an agreement with
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to
enforce section 312 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1322), as amended, as provided in subsection (k) of section 312, or to
otherwise carry out this part.
§187A‑ Penalties. Notwithstanding sections 187A-12.5 and
187A-13, any person who violates this part or a rule adopted under this part
shall be subject to a fine of no less than $25,000 or more than $50,000 per day
of violation, by imprisonment of no more than three years, or both. Any person who commits a subsequent violation
shall be subject to a fine of no more than $100,000 per day of violation,
imprisonment of no more than six years, or both."
2. By amending its title to read:
"[[]PART III.[]] [ALIEN]
AQUATIC [ORGANISMS] NUISANCE SPECIES"
3. By amending section 187A-31, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to read:
"[[]§187A-31[]] Definitions. For the purposes of this part[,]:
"Aquatic
nuisance species" has the same meaning as in section 312 of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1322), as amended.
"Discharge
incidental to the normal operation of a vessel" has the same meaning as in
section 312 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1322), as
amended.
["high]
"High risk vessel" includes [fishing and recreational]
vessels and floating structures, such as barges, dry docks, drilling rigs, and
cranes, which have spent extended periods of time tied up in out-of-state
ports[.] or prior to arrival in the State, transited a jurisdiction
with a high risk aquatic nuisance species, including high risk coral pathogens.
"VIDA" means the federal Vessel Incidental Discharge Act of 2018 (title IX of P.L. 115-282; 132 Stat. 4322) and the amendments made by that Act."
4. By amending section 187A-32, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to read:
"[[]§187A-32[]] [Alien aquatic organisms; lead agency;
rules.] Purposes; lead agency.
(a) The purposes of this part
are to:
(1) Authorize the department to prevent
and respond to the introduction of aquatic nuisance species from discharges
incidental to the normal operation of a vessel, including discharges other than
ballast water and hull fouling;
(2) Contemplate the relationship between
the federal Vessel Incidental Discharge Act of 2018 (title IX of P.L. 115-282)
and state law; and
(3) Provide for penalties that will
deter violations and prevent the introduction of aquatic nuisance species.
[(a)]
(b) The department is designated
as the lead state agency for preventing the introduction of and [carrying
out the destruction of alien] responding to aquatic [organisms]
nuisance species through the regulation of ballast water discharges,
[and] hull fouling organisms[.], and other discharges
incidental to the normal operation of a vessel. The department may establish an interagency
team to address the concerns relating to [alien] aquatic [organisms.]
nuisance species.
[(b) The department may adopt rules in accordance
with chapter 91, including penalties, to carry out the purposes of this
part. The rules may include standards
for the department and the United States Coast Guard to use as part of their
respective inspection protocols. The
rules may also include implementation of a course of action in relation to the
arrival or pending arrival of a high risk vessel.
(c) The governor may enter into an agreement with
the United States Secretary of Transportation to carry out the purposes of this
part, including but not limited to the enforcement of state law.]"
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000.
Report Title:
Department of Land and Natural Resources; Division of Aquatic Resources; Aquatic Nuisance Species; Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of a Vessel; Penalties
Description:
Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules to prevent and respond to the introduction of aquatic nuisance species from discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel and contemplate the relationship between the federal Vessel Incidental Discharge Act of 2018, as amended, and state law. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
