HB 755 Summary

• Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules preventing introduction of aquatic nuisance species from vessel discharges incidental to normal operations, including discharges beyond ballast water and hull fouling.

• Establishes the DLNR as the lead state agency for preventing and responding to aquatic nuisance species introductions through regulation of ballast water, hull fouling, and other vessel discharges.

• Sets penalties of $25,000 to $50,000 per day of violation for initial violations and up to $100,000 per day for subsequent violations, with imprisonment up to 3 years for initial violations and 6 years for subsequent violations.

• Incorporates federal definitions and standards from the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act of 2018, allowing federal VIDA regulations to be deemed state rules and authorizing the governor to enter enforcement agreements with the U.S. Coast Guard.

• Updates terminology in Chapter 187A from "Alien Aquatic Organisms" to "Aquatic Nuisance Species" and expands the definition of "high risk vessel" to include those transiting jurisdictions with high-risk aquatic nuisance species.