WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1142

RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nadine Nakamura

Hawaii HB 1142 adjusts State Water Code penalties to modify enforcement mechanisms for water resource regulation and compliance.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
#cwrm #dlnr #penalties #statewatercode
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1142

Legislative bill overview

HB 1142 modifies penalties under Hawaii's State Water Code, though the specific penalty changes are not detailed in the provided action summary. The bill was introduced in the 2025 legislative session and referred to three committees: Water, Agriculture and Land (WAL), Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHA), and Finance (FIN), indicating it involves legal, fiscal, and resource management considerations.

Why is this important

Water code enforcement directly affects agricultural water access, environmental protection, and public resource management in Hawaii. Penalty modifications can either strengthen compliance with water regulations or reduce enforcement deterrence, with significant implications for sustainable water use on the islands where water scarcity is a persistent concern.

Potential points of contention

  • Agricultural vs. environmental interests: Changes to penalties may disproportionately affect farmers versus commercial developers or residential users depending on which violations are targeted
  • Enforcement effectiveness: Whether adjusted penalties adequately deter water code violations or are insufficient to ensure compliance
  • Fiscal impact: The Finance Committee referral suggests debate over state revenue from penalties and costs of enforcement mechanisms

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

Sign in to ask a question.