Permits lease of water rights by negotiation.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Section 171-58, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

"(c) Disposition of water rights may be made by lease at public auction or by negotiation as provided in this chapter or by permit for temporary use on a month-to-month basis under those conditions [which] that will best serve the interests of the State and subject to a maximum term of one year and other restrictions under the law; provided that any disposition by lease shall be subject to disapproval by the legislature by two-thirds vote of either the senate or the house of representatives or by majority vote of both in any regular or special session next following the date of disposition; provided further that after a certain land or water use has been authorized by the board subsequent to public hearings and conservation district use application and environmental impact statement approvals, water used in nonpolluting ways, for nonconsumptive purposes because it is returned to the same stream or other body of water from which it was drawn, essentially not affecting the volume and quality of water or biota in the stream or other body of water, may also be leased by the board with the prior approval of the governor and the prior authorization of the legislature by concurrent resolution."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.