THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2604
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the commission on water resource management.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that decisions made by the commission on water resource management are required to incorporate and protect adequate reserves of water for current and foreseeable development and use of Hawaiian homelands.

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

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 these 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 and the chairperson of the Hawaiian homes commission or [the director's designee] their respective designee 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 Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.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.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Commission on Water Resource Management; Membership

Description:

Adds the chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission or the chairperson's designee to the Commission on Water Resource Management as an ex officio voting member. Increases the number of commission members from seven to eight.

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