SB 2078 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Summary

Clarifies that rules adopted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources pursuant to section 190-3, HRS, may regulate aquarium fish permits. Establishes a criminal penalty and monetary fines for aquarium fishing violations. Clarifies that each fish or aquatic life specimen taken in violation of certain fishing laws regarding aquarium fish and the possession and use of prohibited explosives, electrofishing devices, and poisonous substances constitutes a separate offense. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2078 → SB2078_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill version updates the legislative metadata to reflect the first Senate reading (SD1) and clarifies that the Department of Land and Natural Resources can create specific rules governing aquarium fishing permits. It also adjusts the statutory text to align with a court ruling requiring environmental reviews for these permits.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly authorize the DLNR to adopt rules regulating aquarium fish permits, addressing a legal gap identified by a court ruling.

REQUIREMENT

Added language clarifying that the DLNR can issue rules under section 190-3 to regulate aquarium fish permits, ensuring compliance with a 2020 court ruling.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata to reflect the 'SD1' reading stage and changed the referenced statute from Section 188-70 to Section 188-31 for permit issuance details.

ENFORCEMENT

Minor formatting adjustment in the penalties section to renumber subsections after a text deletion.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 10, 2026

How they voted

22–3

Passed

Total votes 25

Mar 10, 2026

D Democratic22

22 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican3

3 Nay

100% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 161) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 22; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-26-26 10:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2602) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-18-26 1:01PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Committee

Referred to WLA, JDC.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors