STAND. COM. REP. NO.  828-08

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2687

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2687, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUATIC RESOURCES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure the responsible protection and reasonable use of Hawaii's aquatic resources by requiring the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DNLR) to conduct a review of any new administrative rules adopted after January 1, 2008, concerning:

 

(1)  The protection and propagation of introduced and transplanted aquatic life; or

 

(2)  The conservation and allocation of the natural supply of aquatic life, including the effects of rules governing bottomfish management and lay gill nets adopted by DLNR,

 

and determine whether the rules have achieved their intended purpose.

 

     This measure also:

 

     (1)  Requires DLNR to submit a report of its findings and recommendations of this review to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009 and every five years thereafter; and

 

     (2)  Provides an unspecified amount of funds for DLNR to conduct their review.

 

     A concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  DLNR and Conservation Council for Hawaii testified in opposition to this measure.  The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii and a concerned individual submitted comments.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2687, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair