THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1461
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that, in 1987, the state water code was adopted to protect the precious water resources of the State. To better enable the department of land and natural resources and the commission on water resource management to carry out that mission, the legislature further finds that the state water code's penalties and fines must be amended and increased to serve as an effective deterrent to violators.

The purpose of this Act is to ensure that all violators of the state water code are held accountable for their violations by:

(1) Adding a minimum penalty and amending the maximum penalty per violation of the state water code and clarifying what constitutes a separate offense; and

(2) Requiring the commission on water resource management to consider certain factors when imposing penalties and to set, charge, and collect administrative fines.

SECTION 2. Section 174C-15, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§174C-15 Penalties and common law remedies. (a) The commission may enforce its rules and orders adopted pursuant to this chapter by suit for injunction or for damages or both.

(b) Any person who [violates any]:

(1) Violates any provision of this chapter[, or any];

(2) Violates any rule adopted pursuant to this chapter[, may];

(3) Violates any order of the commission;

(4) Fails to obtain a permit when a permit is required under this chapter;

(5) Fails to comply with permit conditions; or

(6) Fails to comply with standardized water audit requirements pursuant to Act 169, Session Laws of Hawaii 2016,

shall be subject to a fine imposed by the commission. [Such] The fine shall be no less than $ 50 and shall not exceed [$5,000. For a continuing offense, each day during which the offense is committed is a separate violation.] $25,000 per violation. Each day that a violation exists or continues to exist shall constitute a separate offense. Penalties for continuing violations shall be assessed from the earliest known date of the violation. The earliest known date of a violation shall be determined by the commission by a preponderance of the evidence; provided that, if the earliest known date cannot be determined by a preponderance of the evidence, penalties for continuing violations shall be assessed from the earliest date the commission is made aware of the violation.

(c) When imposing a penalty, the commission shall consider the following factors, including but not limited to:

(1) The nature, circumstances, extent, gravity, and history of the violation and of any prior violations;

(2) The economic benefit to the violator, or anticipated by the violator, resulting from the violation;

(3) The opportunity, difficulty, and history of corrective action;

(4) Good faith efforts to comply;

(5) Degree of culpability; and

(6) Such other matters as justice may require.

[(c)] (d) No provision of this chapter shall bar the right of any injured person to seek other legal or equitable relief against a violator of this chapter.

[(d)] (e) Except as otherwise provided by law, the commission or its authorized representative by proper delegation may set, charge, and collect administrative fines [or]; may bring legal action to recover administrative fees and costs as documented by receipts or affidavit, including [attorneys'] attorney's fees and costs; [or] and may bring legal action to recover administrative fines, fees, and costs, including [attorneys'] attorney's fees and costs, or payment for damages resulting from a violation of this chapter or any rule adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(f) The maximum fine per violation pursuant to subsection (b) shall increase to:

(1) $30,000 beginning January 1, 2030;

(2) $40,000 beginning January 1, 2035;

(3) $55,000 beginning January 1, 2040; and

(4) $75,000 beginning January 1, 2045."

SECTION 3. If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.

SECTION 4. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	BY REQUEST

Report Title:

DLNR; CWRM; State Water Code; Penalties

Description:

Adds a minimum penalty and amends the maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code, expands the types of potential violations of the State Water Code, and makes each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider certain factors when imposing penalties.

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