Report Title:

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Water Resources

 

Description:

Requires DHHL to develop a water resources use and management plan for Hawaiian home lands.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1396

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to hawaiian home lands.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  Section 26-17, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§26-17  Department of Hawaiian home lands[.]; water resources use and management plan.  (a)  The department of Hawaiian home lands shall be headed by an executive board to be known as the Hawaiian homes commission.

     The commission shall be composed of nine members.  The appointment, tenure, and removal of the members and the filling of vacancies on the commission shall be in accordance with section 26-34 and section 202(a) of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended.  The governor shall appoint the chairperson of the commission from among the members thereof.

     (b)  The commission may delegate to the chairperson [such] all duties, powers, and authority, or so much thereof as may be lawful or proper, for the performance of the functions vested in the commission.

     The chairperson of the board shall serve in a full time capacity and shall perform [such] the duties, and exercise [such] the powers and authority, or so much thereof as may be delegated to the chairperson by the board.

     (c)  The department shall administer the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 as set forth in the Constitution of the State and by law.

     The functions and authority heretofore exercised by the Hawaiian homes commission as heretofore constituted are transferred to the department of Hawaiian home lands established by this chapter.

     (d)  The department, in conjunction and with the assistance of the commission on water resource management and the department of agriculture, shall develop a water resources use and management plan for all Hawaiian home lands.  The water resources use and management plan shall:

     (1)  Be consistent with the Hawaii water plan;

     (2)  Identify, quantify, and inventory the existing water resources in all watersheds on Hawaiian home lands and the means and methods of conserving and augmenting these water resources;

     (3)  Determine the quantity and quality of water requirements for existing and anticipated water users on Hawaiian home lands within each watershed area, including but not limited to agricultural purposes, homestead consumption, and cultural purposes;

     (4)  Identify and quantify surface waters in rivers and streams that require preservation and protection for procreation of fish and wildlife, irrigation, religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes;

     (5)  Identify and prioritize improvements that are or shall be required for the development, repair, and maintenance of all existing and future water resource infrastructure serving Hawaiian home lands; and

     (6)  Include any other relevant studies, data, or information to ensure that the water resource needs of all Hawaiian homes lands are and shall be adequately met in a timely manner."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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