Hawaii Senate Bill 543

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Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: Introduced on January 17 2025 - 25% progression
Action: 2025-01-21 - Referred to WTL/EIG, WAM/JDC.
Pending: Senate Water and Land Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [HTML]

Part I: Establishes a WAI Policy Coordinator and other positions within the Commission on Water Resource Management for coordination of Red Hill WAI initiatives. Creates the Red Hill Remediation Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature, Governor, and Mayor and City Council of the City and County of Honolulu. Appropriates funds. Part II: Allows the Commission of Water Resource Management to retain independent legal counsel. Repeals the position of Deputy to the Chairperson of the Commission and establishes the position of Executive Director of the Commission. Amends the composition of the Commission and administratively attaches it to DLNR. Authorizes entities to challenge an emergency order of the Commission under certain conditions. Establishes fines for certain water use offenses. Amends the Commission's authority to declare water emergencies and issue orders to address them and declare water shortages and related notice requirements. Specifies that the nominating committee of the Commission shall include one person appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Relating To Water.

Sen. Mike Gabbard [D]	Sen. Henry Aquino [D]	Sen. Stanley Chang [D]	Sen. Michelle Kidani [D]
Sen. Tim Richards [D]

Date	Chamber	Action
2025-01-21	Senate	Referred to WTL/EIG, WAM/JDC.
2025-01-17	Senate	Passed First Reading.
2025-01-17	Senate	Introduced.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=543&year=2025
Text	https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB543_.HTM