Bill > SB22

This bill proposes to exempt all fisheries operations and management in Hawaii from environmental review requirements under Chapter 343 of Hawaii Revised Statutes. The legislature argues that the Department of Land and Natural Resources already conducts thorough analysis of fishery data and ecosystem impacts when determining sustainable harvest levels, making additional environmental impact documentation unnecessary. Specifically, the bill adds a new section to Chapter 343 that explicitly states that any actions related to operating or managing fisheries in the state will be exempt from environmental review processes. The bill's rationale is that the department already carefully assesses environmental and cultural values during its fishery management activities, so creating additional environmental documentation would be redundant. The exemption would apply to all fisheries across the state, and the bill would take effect immediately upon approval.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=22&year=2025