STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1009

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 861

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 861, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMUNITY-BASED SUBSISTENCE FISHING AREAS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to:

 

     (1)  Designate and adopt rules for no fewer than five community-based subsistence fishing areas by December 31, 2025; and

 

     (2)  Submit an annual report to the Legislature on the Department's progress, including any recommendations and proposed legislation.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kuaāina Ulu Auamo, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, and six individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Fishermen's Alliance for Conservation and Tradition, Inc.; and six individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

 

     Your Committee finds that community-based fisheries management can help restore and sustain Hawaii's nearshore resources.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources was given the statutory authority in 1994 to establish community-based subsistence fishing areas and rules; however, since that time only one such area has been established.  Your Committee notes that due diligence necessitates a certain timeframe for community consultation and proper rule-making, but finds that stronger policy is needed to encourage timely and meaningful adoption of community-based fisheries management in the State.

 

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Removing the requirement that the Department of Land and Natural Resources establish five community-based subsistence fishing area by December 31, 2025;

 

     (2)  Requiring the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules within two years of receiving a proposal for a community-based subsistence fishing area;

 

     (3)  Clarifying the information required by the annual report to the Legislature; and

 

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 861, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 861, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair