Deputy to the commission appointed by the commission; membership of the commission expanded from six to seven; chairperson to be selected from among the five members appointed by the governor; chairperson of the board of land and natural resources ex-officio voting member.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Section 174C-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§174C-6 Deputy to [the chairperson of] the commission on water resource management. (a) There shall be a [first] deputy to [the chairperson of] the commission on water resource management [("deputy for water resource management") who shall be in addition to any other first deputy to the chairperson as the chairperson of the board of land and natural resources]. The deputy shall have experience in the area of water resources and shall be appointed by [the chairperson with the approval of] a majority of the commission."

(b) The duties of the deputy [for water resource management] to the commission shall be to administer and implement, under the direction of the commission, the state water code and all rules, and other directives promulgated in accordance therewith by the commission. Nothing in this provision shall be construed as limiting the authority of the commission as to matters regarding water resources.

(c) The position of deputy [for water resource management] to the commission is not subject to chapters 76 and 77.

(d) The salary of the deputy [for water resource management] to the commission shall be as provided in section 26-53 for first deputies or first assistants to the head of any department."

SECTION 2. Section 174C-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

"(a) There is established [within the department] a commission on water resource management, attached to the department of land and natural resources for administrative purposes, consisting of [six] seven members, which shall have exclusive jurisdiction and final authority in all matters relating to implementation and administration of the state water code, except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter.

(b) [Four] Five members shall be appointed by the governor subject to confirmation by the senate, in a manner prescribed in subsection (d). Each member shall have substantial experience in the area of water resource management. The chairperson [of the board of land and natural resources shall be the chairperson] of the commission[. The] shall be selected by the commission from among the five members appointed by the governor and shall serve a two-year term with a maximum of two consecutive terms. The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources and the director of health shall serve as [an] ex officio voting [member.] members."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.