HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	846
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE chairperson of the hawaiian homes commission.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the requirements of section 174C-101(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, have not been substantially fulfilled in the implementation of the state water code, which requires that adequate reserves of water for current and foreseeable development of Hawaiian home lands be incorporated and protected by decisions of the commission on water resource management.  The commission has only reserved water for those needs on Oahu, Molokai, and Keauhou on the island of Hawaii.

     The legislature further finds that representation on water resource management from the Hawaiian homes commission is necessary for section 174C-101(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, to be fulfilled.

     The purpose of this Act is to add the chairperson of the Hawaiian homes commission or the chairperson's designee as an ex officio voting member of the commission on water resource management.

     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 consisting of [seven] eight 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)  Five members shall be appointed by the governor subject to confirmation by the senate in the manner prescribed in subsection (d).  Each [member] of the five members shall have substantial experience in the area of water resource management; provided that at least one member shall have substantial experience or expertise in traditional Hawaiian water resource management techniques and in traditional Hawaiian riparian usage such as those preserved by section 174C-101.  The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources shall be the chairperson of the commission.  The director of health or the director's designee shall serve as an ex officio voting member.  The chairperson of the Hawaiian homes commission or the chairperson's designee shall serve as an ex officio voting member."

     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  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.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.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Commission on Water Resource Management; Hawaiian Homes Commission Representation

Description:

Amends the membership of the commission on water resource management to add the chairperson of the Hawaiian homes commission or the chairperson's designee to serve as an ex officio voting member.

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