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Bill

SB 2022

RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Gabbard and 4 co-sponsors

SB 2022 revises penalties under Hawaii's water code to strengthen or modify enforcement of state water regulations and resource management requirements.

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
#cwrm #penalties #statewatercode
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Bill Summary · SB 2022

Legislative bill overview

SB 2022 modifies penalties under Hawaii's state water code, though the specific penalty changes are not detailed in the available information. The bill is currently in early legislative stages, having been introduced and referred to the Water, Land and Agriculture (WLA) committee and the Judiciary and Defense/Ways and Means (JDC/WAM) committees. A public hearing is scheduled for February 6, 2026.

Why is this important

Water code enforcement is critical for Hawaii, an island state dependent on sustainable water management for agriculture, public consumption, and environmental protection. Adjusting penalty structures can either strengthen compliance with water regulations or reduce enforcement effectiveness, making this bill's specific provisions significant for water resource management across the islands.

Potential points of contention

  • Penalty amount adjustments: Without seeing the full text, the direction and magnitude of penalty changes could draw opposition from either agricultural/business interests (if penalties increase) or environmental advocates (if penalties decrease)
  • Enforcement mechanism impacts: Changes to penalties may affect the state's ability to enforce water allocation rules, a historically contentious issue in Hawaii concerning Native Hawaiian water rights and agricultural water access
  • Implementation timeline: How quickly new penalties take effect could create compliance burdens or fairness concerns depending on stakeholder circumstances

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

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