HB 1020 Summary

• Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt, amend, or repeal rules on bag limits, size limits, open/closed hunting and fishing seasons, and gear restrictions through formal board action at a publicly noticed meeting without following standard administrative rule-making procedures under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 91.

• Requires the board to find that timely rule changes are necessary to implement effective adaptive management measures in response to rapidly changing resource conditions.

• Mandates at least 30 days advance statewide notice of the rulemaking meeting and allows the public to request copies of proposed rules and provide input at the public meeting.

• Limits temporary rules adopted under this process to an initial period of two years with legislative approval, renewable by the board for up to one year at a time; rules become effective ten days after board action unless a later date is specified.

• Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit a report on its temporary rule actions to the legislature no later than 20 days before the 2023 regular session.