| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that illegal poaching and extraction of marine species, rare corals, and fish for commercial gain are serious problems in Hawaii, and are heightened by challenges in enforcing applicable laws. The legislature believes that there is substantial interest in protecting marine species from those seeking commercial gain. The legislature therefore finds that the State must take action to stop illegal trophy hunting, profiteering from marine species, and illegal extraction that impacts Hawaii's reefs. The purpose of this Act is to enhance laws relating to the protection of marine life and prevent the commercial exploitation of Hawaii's marine ecosystems. SECTION 2. Chapter 291, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§291- Transport of marine life harvested for commercial purposes; prohibition. No person shall use a public road, street, highway, or similar thoroughfare to transport: (1) Marine species illegally harvested from the waters of the State for commercial purposes; or (2) Marine species harvested from the waters of the State for commercial aquarium purposes. For the purposes of this section, "commercial" means for selling, offering for sale, possessing with intent to sell, bartering, landing, or taking any other actions for the purpose of profit or gain." SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date. SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2050. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that illegal poaching and extraction of marine species, rare corals, and fish for commercial gain are serious problems in Hawaii and are heightened by challenges in enforcing applicable laws. The legislature believes that there is substantial interest in protecting endangered marine species from those seeking non-subsistence-based commercial gain. The legislature therefore finds that the State must take action to stop illegal trophy hunting, profiteering from endangered species, and illegal extraction that impacts Hawaii's reefs. The purpose of this Act is to prohibit the transportation of certain marine species harvested from state waters to make the enforcement of laws relating to the protection of marine life and prevent the commercial exploitation of Hawaii's marine ecosystems more efficient. SECTION 2. Chapter 291, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§291- Transport of marine life harvested for commercial purposes; prohibition. (a) No person shall use a public road, street, highway, or similar thoroughfare to transport: (1) Endangered marine species harvested from the waters of the State for commercial purposes; or (2) Marine species harvested from the waters of the State for commercial aquarium purposes. (b) For the purposes of this section: "Commercial" means for selling, offering for sale, possessing with intent to sell, bartering, landing, or taking any other actions for the purpose of profit or gain. "Endangered marine species harvested from the waters of the State" excludes species bred in captivity and species legally purchased in a retail store." SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date. SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022. |
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