HI SB177

Authorizes the Division of Animal Industry to adopt rules establishing an assessment and approval process for importing and moving aquatic livestock in Hawaii, including pre-arrival disease testing, entry inspection, and post-arrival inspection requirements.

Requires quarantine or depopulation of aquatic animals as necessary through the import assessment process.

Defines three new terms: "aquatic livestock" (domestic and non-domestic fish, crustaceans, and mollusks for food or commercial purposes); "biocontainment" (methods and facilities to prevent release of animals and pathogens); and "biological aquatic risk" (probability and consequence of feral population establishment).

Requires the Department of Agriculture's Aquaculture Program to develop a biological aquatic risk-based framework for assessing aquatic livestock, considering USDA standards, current policies, industry best practices, and protection of indigenous species.

Appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to develop the biological aquatic risk-based framework.