SB177 establishes a new state process for evaluating and authorizing the import and transport of aquatic livestock in Hawaii. It directs the Division of Animal Industry within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt rules for a science-based framework that classifies aquatic livestock by biological risk and requires pre-arrival disease testing, entry-point inspection, post-arrival monitoring, and, when necessary, quarantine, remediation, or depopulation.
The bill also expands the statutory aquaculture program to include development of biological aquatic risk-based standards and biocontainment standards for aquatic livestock facilities. It adds definitions for “aquatic livestock,” “biocontainment,” and “biological aquatic risk,” and requires the framework to consider USDA standards, current import policies, disease risks, industry best practices, and protection of indigenous species and their habitats. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
Impact
The bill amends Chapter 141 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes and makes related changes to Chapter 161 to clarify the Division of Animal Industry’s authority over rulemaking in this area. It creates a new regulatory structure for aquatic livestock imports and transport, adds new statutory definitions, and requires the aquaculture program to develop risk-based and biocontainment standards. In practical terms, it gives the department broader authority to screen, monitor, restrict, or eliminate aquatic animals that pose a biological risk, affecting aquaculture operators, importers, and transporters of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported throughout the legislative process. It passed the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, and both conference chambers unanimously or near-unanimously, with no recorded opposition in the vote history provided. The final enactment as Act 165 suggests the measure was viewed as a practical biosecurity and industry-management bill rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
No major contention is evident in the available record, and there are no committee transcript excerpts showing disagreement. The main policy balance embedded in the bill is between supporting aquaculture development and protecting native ecosystems from disease and invasive species. Any potential concerns would likely come from industry stakeholders about compliance costs, testing, quarantine, and possible depopulation requirements, while conservation interests would likely favor the stronger biosecurity and indigenous species protections.