SB 2973 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO FISHING.

SB 2973 prohibits the use of jug line fishing and other jug rig variants in all state waters. This directly affects recreational and commercial fishermen who currently use these specific fishing methods. The bill's key provision is a clear ban on these techniques, replacing any existing allowances. It does not include exceptions or enforcement details in the provided abstract. The bill is currently in committee referral after its first reading.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Mar 30, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB2973_HD1 → SB2973_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill changed from a directive requiring the state to create new fishing rules by 2026 into an immediate prohibition of jug line fishing effective in 2050. The legislation now explicitly bans the use of buoyant jugs or bottles to suspend fishing lines in state waters, replacing a vague mandate for future regulation with a specific statutory ban. This shift moves the policy from a planning phase to an enforceable restriction, though it includes an exemption for standard fishing floats used with rods and reels.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a procedural requirement for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct rulemaking to a direct statutory prohibition of specific fishing devices in state waters.

TIMELINE

The effective date was changed from a future rulemaking deadline of July 1, 2026, to a specific prohibition effective date of July 1, 2050.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new statutory section explicitly prohibiting the possession or use of fishing devices using buoyant jugs or bottles to suspend lines in state waters.

ENFORCEMENT

Established that possessing these devices near water or on a boat is prima facie evidence of a violation.

DEFINITION

Defined the prohibited devices as those using buoyant jugs, bottles, or flotation devices primarily for suspending fishing lines, hooks, and weights.

ELIGIBILITY

Created an exemption for store-bought or homemade fishing floats and bobbers when used with rod and reel or hand-pole fishing.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 30, 2026

Committee

Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1530-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Mar 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Poepoe, Woodson, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti.

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 330) 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

Mar 3, 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 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:15AM; 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. 2670) 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 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to WLA, JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

3 primary · 1 co-sponsor