Bill > HB123

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 finds that the Department of Land and Natural Resources already conducts careful analysis of fishery data and ecosystem impacts when determining sustainable harvest practices, and therefore additional environmental documentation is unnecessary. By adding a new section to Chapter 343, the bill will legally exclude fisheries-related actions from mandated environmental review processes. The bill's rationale is that the department already thoroughly assesses environmental and cultural ecosystem values during fishery management, making separate environmental reviews redundant. If passed, this legislation would streamline fisheries management by removing the requirement to prepare additional environmental documentation, potentially making fisheries operations more efficient. The bill would take effect immediately upon approval.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=123&year=2026