HI HB883

Prohibits selling or offering for sale any fish or aquatic life taken under an aquarium fish permit that has been subjected to substantial injury or cruel treatment.

Defines "cruel treatment" as behavior including surfacing at damaging rates, piercing or deflating swim bladders, cutting fins or spines, withholding food for more than 24 hours, or confining fish in less than one gallon of water per specimen.

Establishes criminal misdemeanor penalties of $500 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second offense, and $10,000 for a third or subsequent offense.

Authorizes administrative fines of up to $10,000 per specimen sold or offered for sale in violation, plus assessment of administrative fees, costs, and attorney's fees.

Penalties apply per individual specimen of aquarium fish or aquatic life sold or offered for sale in violation of the law.