Bill > SB503

This bill addresses dam and reservoir safety in Hawaii by modifying how the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) assesses and manages dams owned by private individuals. The bill shifts the burden of proof for categorizing a dam as high-risk from dam owners to the DLNR, requiring the department to provide detailed engineering reports and studies to justify a high-risk classification. The legislation introduces provisions that allow the DLNR to consider dam insurance or active efforts to obtain insurance as part of valid risk mitigation strategies, and authorizes the department to relax stringent standards for dam owners who can verify insurance coverage. The bill also establishes a more comprehensive and flexible grant program for dam improvement or removal, requiring the DLNR to develop publicly available criteria for grants and ensuring that additional requirements for applicants are fair, transparent, and clearly communicated. The goal is to balance public safety with the financial challenges faced by private dam owners, recognizing the critical role these structures play in water storage, erosion control, and agricultural infrastructure, while providing a more equitable process for assessing and improving dam safety.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=503&year=2026