STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1063

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1088

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1088, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DECLARATION OF WATER SHORTAGE AND EMERGENCY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the conditions, manner, and areas in which the Commission on Water Resource Management of the Department of Land and Natural Resources can declare water shortages and emergencies.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply.

Your Committee finds that this measure would enable the Commission on Water Resource Management to declare a water shortage or emergency without a prior water shortage declaration by rule. This measure would thereby encompass situations requiring a swift response, including the Red Hill fuel crisis that resulted from fuel and other hazardous materials contaminating Oahu's drinking water resource or the use of water to protect against wildfires.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1088, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair