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HB47
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
47
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to aquaculture
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
�
Chapter 141,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV to be appropriately
designated and to read as follows:
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"
�141-
�
Aquatic
livestock import assessment and approval process; rules.
�
The division of animal industry shall have
the power to adopt, amend, and repeal rules not inconsistent with law, to develop
an assessment and approval process to import and move aquatic livestock in the
State.
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This process shall:
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(1)
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Be
based on the framework maintained by the department pursuant to this chapter
and chapter 142;
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(2)
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Include
pre-arrival disease testing requirements, entry inspection, and post-arrival
inspection; and
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(3)
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Require
quarantine or depopulation of any aquatic animals as necessary.
"
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SECTION
2
.
�
Section 141-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding three new definitions to be appropriately inserted and to
read as follows:
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"
"Aquatic livestock"
means various species of domestic and non-domestic fish, crustaceans, and
mollusks that are propagated and raised for food, restorative activities, or
similar commercial purposes.
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"Biocontainment" means the
methods, procedures, facility features, and containment or safety equipment for
infectious materials and animals in the aquatic livestock environment where
these materials and animals are potentially handled or maintained.
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"Biocontainment" includes
preventing the release of infectious animal species and associated pathogens
into the environment.
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"Biological aquatic risk"
means the combination of the consequences of an event and the associated
likelihood of its occurrence, where biological material is the source of harm,
whether from an escaped aquatic livestock species or associated pathogens or
disease.
"
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SECTION
3
.
�
Section 141-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
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"(a)
�
There is established within the department an aquaculture program that
shall:
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(1)
�
Monitor actions taken by industry and
by federal, state, county, and private agencies in activities relating to
aquaculture, and promote and support worthwhile aquaculture activities;
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(2)
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Serve as an information clearinghouse
for aquaculture activities;
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(3)
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Coordinate development projects to
investigate and solve biological and technical problems involved in raising
selected species with commercial potential;
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(4)
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Actively seek federal funding for
aquaculture activities;
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(5)
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Undertake activities required to
develop and expand the aquaculture industry[
; and
]
, which shall include:
���������
(A)
�
Developing a biological aquatic risk-based framework for an
assessment and approval process for aquatic livestock that categorizes aquatic
livestock species based on the probability and consequence of the establishment
of a feral population; and
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(B)
�
Developing biocontainment standards that establish physical and
operational requirements;
and
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(6)
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Perform other functions and activities
that may be assigned by law."
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SECTION
4
.
�
Section 161-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended to read as follows:
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"[
[
]�161-6[
]
]
�
Division of animal industry.
�
The
division of animal industry of the department of agriculture shall administer
this chapter subject to the supervision of the board.
�
[
The
]
Except as provided by section
141- , the
board may delegate any of its powers under this
chapter, except the power to make rules and regulations, or may direct any of
its duties to be performed by any appropriate agents, officers, or employees of
the board.
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The board may employ on a full or part-time
basis veterinarians and poultry inspectors, subject to chapter 76, to carry out
a uniform inspection system of poultry or poultry products throughout the
State.
�
All poultry inspectors shall be
under the supervision and control of a veterinarian employed by the
board."
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SECTION 5.
�
The division of animal industry shall develop a biological aquatic risk-based
framework for the assessment and approval process to import and move aquatic
livestock in the State.
�
In developing
the framework, the division of animal industry shall consider:
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(1)
�
Relevant
standards established by the United States Department of Agriculture;
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(2)
�
Current
aquatic livestock policies and development issues;
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(3)
�
Best
practices of aquaculture industry; and
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(4)
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The
protection of indigenous species as defined in section 195D-2, Hawaii Revised
Statutes.
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SECTION 6.
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal
year 2026-2027 for the division of animal industry to develop a biological
aquatic risk-based framework pursuant to the requirements of this Act.
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The sums
appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture
for the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION 7.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.
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New statutory material is underscored.
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SECTION 8.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DOA;
Division of Animal Industry; Aquaculture Program; Import Assessment; Biological
Aquatic Risk-Based Framework; Biocontainment Standards; Aquatic Livestock;
Appropriations
Description:
Authorizes
the Division of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture to adopt,
amend, and repeal rules to develop an assessment and approval process to import
and move aquatic livestock in the State.
�
Requires the Aquaculture Program to develop a risk-based framework and
biocontainment standards for the aquatic livestock assessment and approval
process.
�
Makes appropriations.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.