HI SB2078

Clarifies that Department of Land and Natural Resources rules under section 190-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, may regulate and prohibit aquarium fish collection permits, codifying the department's position following a November 2020 environmental court ruling requiring environmental impact statements for permit issuance.

Establishes aquarium fishing violations (section 188-31) as misdemeanors with minimum fines of $200 for first offense, $400 for second offense, and $1,000 for third or subsequent offenses.

Specifies that each fish or aquatic life specimen taken illegally constitutes a separate offense for violations involving aquarium fishing and prohibited methods such as explosives, electrofishing devices, or poisonous substances.

Non-commercial aquarium fish collectors remain limited to five fish or aquatic life specimens per person per day under existing restrictions.

Allows environmental courts to order defendants to complete aquatic resources educational classes or perform community service benefiting damaged resources in lieu of monetary fines.