HB1121 SD2

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State is especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. According to the 2014 report entitled "Climate Change Impacts in Hawai‘i: A summary of climate change and its impacts to Hawaii's ecosystems and communities" by the university of Hawaii sea grant college program, rainfall in the State declined over the last thirty years while global sea levels rose over the last century.

The legislature further finds that the State's fresh water supply is threatened by the intrusion of saltwater and the change in rainfall frequency and intensity. Both threats are the result of climate change.

It is projected that sea levels will continue to rise at an accelerated rate. The 2014 university of Hawaii sea grant college program report projected a one- to three-foot (approximately 0.3-1 meter) rise, or more, by the end of the century. Rising sea levels, coupled with the resulting coastal erosion, inundates the land with saltwater and leads to contaminated fresh water that is unable to recharge.

In addition, when precipitation decreases on islands, fresh water becomes less available as ground and surface water supplies are less likely to be recharged. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has observed a trend for decreasing precipitation in the State, noting that projections suggest a small decrease in precipitation during the wet season and a small increase during the dry season.

Lastly, the legislature finds that pursuant to chapter 174C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the State Water Code requires that the commission on water resource management implement and use comprehensive water resources planning in its protection and management of the State's water resources. The State Water Code requires updates to the Hawaii water plan to guide the commission on water resource management in executing its general powers, duties, and responsibilities in assuring economic development, good municipal services, agricultural stability, and environmental protection.

The Hawaii water plan serves as a continuing long-range guide for water resource protection and management, and consists of five major components:

(1) A water resource protection plan prepared by the commission on water resource management;

(2) A water quality plan prepared by the department of health;

(3) A state water projects plan, currently prepared by the engineering division of the department of land and natural resources;

(4) An agricultural water use and development plan prepared by the department of agriculture; and

(5) County water use and development plans prepared by each of the four counties.

The purpose of this Act is to direct the commission on water resource management to provide additional guidance for future updates to the Hawaii water plan by addressing emerging issues, such as climate change, and including any other useful or necessary elements to ensure the long-term protection and wise management of water resources.

SECTION 2. (a) The commission on water resource management shall conduct a statewide framework update of the Hawaii water plan to provide additional guidance for future Hawaii water plan updates.

(b) The tasks and elements of the statewide framework update shall include at a minimum:

(1) Facilitated interagency meetings with all agencies responsible for updating a component plan to identify information gaps that need to be filled to better integrate the components and coordinate water source developments among state, county, and private entities;

(2) Consultation with federal, state, and county agencies having an interest in water resource science, protection, management, development, or use;

(3) Inclusion of emerging issues in county water use development plans, such as climate change, watershed protection, protection of public trust uses, and drought planning;

(4) Comprehensive review and revision, as needed, of existing planning elements for each component plan;

(5) Extension of the planning horizon from twenty years to a longer time period; and

(6) Any other useful or necessary elements that are identified through the interagency meetings and consultation processes.

(c) The commission on water resource management shall submit to the legislature its findings, recommendations, progress reports on actions taken, and any proposed legislation, no later than December 31, 2021.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to effectuate the purposes of this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2050.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1121
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 2