HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2501

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO WATER RIGHTS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  Section 171-58, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

     "(c)  Disposition of water rights may be made by lease at public auction as provided in this chapter or by permit for temporary use on a month-to-month basis under those conditions which will best serve the interests of the State and subject to a maximum term of one year and other restrictions under the law; provided that [any]:

     (1)  Where an application has been made for a lease under this section to continue a previously authorized disposition of water rights, a holdover may be authorized annually until the pending application for the disposition of water rights is finally resolved or for three years, whichever is sooner; provided further that the holdover is consistent with the public trust doctrine and any applicable law;

     (2)  Any disposition by lease shall be subject to disapproval by the legislature by two-thirds vote of either the senate or the house of representatives or by majority vote of both in any regular or special session next following the date of disposition; [provided further that after] and

     (3)  After a certain land or water use has been authorized by the board subsequent to public hearings and conservation district use application and environmental impact statement approvals, water used in nonpolluting ways, for nonconsumptive purposes because it is returned to the same stream or other body of water from which it was drawn, and essentially not affecting the volume and quality of water or biota in the stream or other body of water, may also be leased by the board with the prior approval of the governor and the prior authorization of the legislature by concurrent resolution."

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to assist the department of land and natural resources in expediting pending applications for the disposition of water rights.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval and shall apply to applications for the disposition of water rights that are pending before the board of land and natural resources as of the effective date of this Act or filed with the board of land and natural resources on or after the effective date of this Act; provided that:

     (1)  Section 2 shall take effect on July 1, 2016; and

     (2)  This Act shall be repealed on June 30, 2019, and section 171-58(c), Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall be reenacted in the form in which it read on the day prior to the effective date of this Act.

 



 

Report Title:

Water Rights; Holdover; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires that where an application has been made for a lease to continue a previously authorized disposition of water rights, a holdover may be authorized annually until the pending application for the disposition of water rights is finally resolved or for three years, whichever is sooner.  Requires that the holdover is consistent with the public trust doctrine and any applicable law.  Makes an appropriation.  Repeals on June 30, 2019.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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