THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	872
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021		S.D. 1
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 section 174C-101(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, provides that decisions of the commission on water resource management relating to the planning, regulation, management, and conservation of water resources in the State shall, to the extent applicable and consistent with other legal requirements and authority, incorporate and protect adequate reserves of water for current and foreseeable development and use of Hawaiian home lands as set forth in section 221 of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.

The purpose of this Act is to add the chairperson of the Hawaiian homes commission or the chairperson's designated representative as an ex officio, voting member to the commission on water resource management to advance the interest of beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.

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, excluding the chairpersons of the board of land and natural resources and the Hawaiian homes commission, 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 Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.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 on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Commission on Water Resource Management; Hawaiian Homes Commission; Representation; Membership

Description:

Adds the chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission or the chairperson's designee to serve as an ex officio, voting member on the Commission on Water Resource Management. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

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