STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2962

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 872

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 872, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to add 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.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that the State Water Code requires that adequate reserves of water for current and foreseeable development of Hawaiian home lands be incorporated into and protected by the decisions of the Commission on Water Resource Management. Your Committee finds that there would be stronger adherence to this requirement if the Commission on Water Resource Management included a representative of the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 872, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair