HI HB1554

Clarifies that the Department of Land and Natural Resources' rulemaking authority under section 187A-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, includes adopting, amending, or repealing any rule to impose restrictions or requirements deemed necessary to protect and conserve aquatic life.

Expands the list of explicit rulemaking tools available to the department by adding a catch-all provision allowing "any other restriction or requirement as deemed necessary by the department to implement the purposes of this section."

Expands the Board of Land and Natural Resources' authority to temporarily adopt, amend, or repeal rules pertaining to bag limits, size limits, fishing seasons, and gear restrictions by formal board action at a publicly noticed meeting based on newly available technology or newly available data, in addition to the existing criterion of rapidly changing resource conditions.

Requires temporary rules adopted under the adaptive management authority to be effective for an initial period of no longer than two years, subject to legislative approval and renewal by the board, with each renewal extending up to one year at a time.

Makes the bill effective upon approval and establishes that it does not affect rights, duties, penalties, or proceedings that were established before its effective date.