HB 1684 Summary

• Establishes and revises penalties for intentional introduction and spread of invasive species in Hawaii to address threats to the economy, natural environment, and public health.

• Reduces penalties for violations of section 150A-5 from a range of $100-$10,000 to $50-$5,000 for first offense, and from $500-$25,000 to $250-$15,000 for second offense within five years, with violations classified as petty misdemeanors.

• Creates new class C felony offense for intentionally transporting, harboring, or importing prohibited animals or restricted organisms with intent to propagate, sell, or release without a permit, with fines of $50,000-$200,000.

• Adds new class C felony offense for intentionally importing, possessing, harboring, transferring, or transporting any pest designated by statute or rule with intent to propagate, sell, or release, with fines of $50,000-$200,000.

• Expands the presumption of "intent to propagate" to include possession of pests designated by statute or rule, in addition to existing prohibited or restricted animals and plants.