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SCR 125

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO INCORPORATE INTO THEIR ASSESSMENT PROCESS THE POSSESSION OR ACTIVE SEEKING OF DAM LIABILITY INSURANCE BY PRIVATE DAM OWNERS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 5 co-sponsors

Hawaii requests DLNR assess private dam owners' liability insurance status to strengthen dam safety oversight and identify financial preparedness for potential incidents.

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Bill Summary · SCR 125

Legislative bill overview

SCR 125 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to consider whether private dam owners possess or are actively seeking dam liability insurance as part of their assessment process. The bill does not mandate insurance requirements but asks the department to evaluate this factor when assessing private dam operations and safety compliance.

Why is this important

Dam safety and liability have become increasingly scrutinized following catastrophic dam failures and flooding events. By incorporating insurance status into assessments, Hawaii could better understand which dam owners are financially prepared for potential incidents and identify gaps in risk management. This could inform future regulatory decisions about dam oversight and public safety protections.

Potential points of contention

  • Enforcement mechanism unclear: The resolution requests evaluation but doesn't specify what DLNR should do with this information or whether insurance should become mandatory
  • Insurance availability concerns: Dam liability insurance may be difficult or expensive to obtain in Hawaii, potentially making this assessment impractical for smaller private dam owners
  • Regulatory scope: Critics may argue this is an indirect way to impose insurance requirements without formal legislation, while others may contend it doesn't go far enough to mandate comprehensive dam liability coverage

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

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