HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1969
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to water royalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The purpose of this Act is to assure the ongoing and future development of water systems in the State by providing a source of funding for the development, repair, maintenance, and replacement of water system infrastructure.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 174, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"PART    .  STATE AQUIFER WATER ROYALTY

§174-     State aquifer water royalty.  (a)  Each entity that removes water from an aquifer in the State shall be assessed a state aquifer water royalty of $1 for every one thousand gallons.

     (b)  The department of accounting and general services shall assess, levy, and collect the fees assessed pursuant to subsection (a), and the fee revenues shall be deposited into a separate account within the state general fund to be allocated for the development, repair, maintenance, and replacement of water system infrastructure.

     (c)  Moneys in the separate account established under subsection (b) shall be appropriated by the legislature, upon application of a board, to defray costs associated with water system infrastructure development, repair, maintenance, and replacement projects.

     (d)  Any entity assessed a fee pursuant to subsection (a) may pass the fee cost to end-users, without regard to section 269-16."

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2015.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Water; State Aquifer Royalty

Description:

Assesses $1 royalty for every 1000 gallons pumped from the State's aquifers.  Dedicates revenues to offset water system project costs.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.