HI SCR237

Request the Department of Agriculture's Division of Aquatic Resources to place Northern Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides salmoides) on Hawaii's list of conditionally approved animals that may be imported with a permit.

Request the Division of Aquatic Resources to obtain an import permit for Northern Largemouth Bass once the species is approved for conditional importation.

Require the Division of Aquatic Resources to ensure fresh stocks of Northern Largemouth Bass are imported for use in state-supported bass hatcheries.

Direct the Department of Agriculture and Division of Aquatic Resources to complete these tasks before the 2022 Regular Legislative Session and submit a progress report at least 20 days prior to that session.

Cite bass fishing's economic value nationally (828,000 jobs and $48 billion in retail sales annually) and Hawaii's existing largemouth bass populations and bass hatchery infrastructure as justification for expanding the fishery.