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Bill Summary · SB 1221

Legislative bill overview

SB 1221 modifies Hawaii's stormwater management system requirements and regulations. The bill became Act 281 when signed into law on July 3, 2025. The specific provisions restructure how stormwater systems are designed, maintained, or funded across the state.

Why is this important

Stormwater management directly affects flood prevention, water quality, and infrastructure resilience—particularly critical for Hawaii given its island geography and increasing severe weather patterns. This legislation impacts municipalities, developers, and property owners who must comply with new or revised stormwater standards, potentially affecting construction costs and development timelines.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Municipalities and developers may face significant expenses upgrading or redesigning stormwater infrastructure to meet new standards
  • Timeline and compliance burden: Existing systems may require retrofitting, creating administrative and financial strain on local governments with limited budgets
  • Stakeholder balance: Tensions between environmental protection goals and economic concerns from construction and development industries

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

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