HI HB861

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to adopt rules for community-based subsistence fishing areas within two years of receiving a proposal, addressing a pattern of delays in the rulemaking process.

Mandates DLNR to submit annual reports to the legislature beginning in 2018 detailing compliance with the two-year adoption deadline and explaining any failures to meet the timeline.

Establishes that if DLNR fails to adopt rules within the required two-year period, this failure and explanation must be included in the annual report.

Clarifies definitions of "Native Hawaiian" and "subsistence" to protect customary and traditional fishing practices for native Hawaiian subsistence, culture, and religion.

Takes effect July 1, 2030.