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Bill

Bill

SB 3004

RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

2026 Regular Session

SB 3004 modifies Hawaii water code penalties, adjusting fines and enforcement mechanisms to improve compliance with state water resource management regulations.

Referred to WLA, JDC/WAM.
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Bill Summary · SB 3004

Legislative bill overview

SB 3004 modifies penalties and enforcement mechanisms within Hawaii's State Water Code. The bill adjusts fines, violation procedures, or enforcement authority related to water resource management and usage violations. Without access to the specific text, the amendments likely address either civil penalties, criminal sanctions, or administrative enforcement procedures for water law violations.

Why is this important

Water is a critical resource in Hawaii, where agricultural, residential, and environmental demands often compete. Penalty structures directly impact compliance rates for water usage regulations and can affect both individual water users and large agricultural operations. Appropriate penalties ensure the state can effectively manage its limited freshwater resources while balancing stakeholder interests.

Potential points of contention

  • Penalty severity: Stakeholders may disagree on whether increased penalties target agricultural users disproportionately or are necessary to deter violations
  • Small user impact: Residents and small farmers may object if penalties don't have tiered structures for minor violations versus commercial-scale violations
  • Enforcement burden: Questions may arise about state resources needed to investigate and prosecute violations, affecting actual implementation effectiveness

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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