THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

683

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to northern largemouth bass.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the largemouth bass is the most popular gamefish in the United States.  More than 828,000 jobs 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 while the northern largemouth bass has been in Hawaii waters since 1896 and the department of land and natural resources requires a license to fish for northern largemouth 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 largemouth bass in Hawaii waters.  Some companies have attempted to import largemouth bass into the State so they may be breed and released for fishing purposes, but those companies have faced intense regulatory restrictions.  The current permit process to import northern largemouth bass into the State is the same as that for a species that has never been brought into Hawaii.

     The purpose of this Act is to streamline the process to import live northern largemouth bass for the purpose of enhancing and supporting recreational fishing in Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  Section 150A-6.2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

     "(c)  Animals on the lists of conditionally approved and restricted animals shall be imported only by permit.  Any animal that is not on the lists of conditionally approved, restricted, or prohibited animals shall be prohibited until the board's review and determination for placement on one of these lists; provided that the department may issue a special permit on a case-by-case basis for the importation and possession of an animal that is not on the lists of prohibited, restricted, or conditionally approved animals, for the purpose of remediating medical emergencies or agricultural or ecological disasters, or conducting medical or scientific research in a manner that the animal will not be detrimental to agriculture, the environment, or humans, if the importer of the animal can meet permit requirements as determined by the board; and provided further that the department may issue a short-term special permit on a case-by-case basis not to exceed ninety days for the importation and possession of an animal that is not on the lists of prohibited, restricted, or conditionally approved animals for the purpose of filming, performance, or exhibition, if the importer of the animal can meet permit and bonding requirements as determined by the board[.]; provided further that northern largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides salmoides) shall be considered on the list of conditionally approved animals that require a permit for import into the State maintained pursuant to subsection (a)(1).  The department shall issue permits for the importation and possession of northern largemouth bass to allow for the breeding and releasing of those northern largemouth bass into public and private waters."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

HDOA; Northern Largemouth Bass; Fishing

 

Description:

Requires the department of agriculture to allow for the permitted importation of northern largemouth bass into Hawaii.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.