Bill > HB1233

This bill addresses stormwater management and safety by requiring Hawaii's counties to establish comprehensive regulations for retention and detention ponds. The legislation was motivated by Hawaii's high drowning rate and the increasing risks associated with climate change, which has led to more frequent and intense rainfall. Counties will be mandated to adopt ordinances that establish detailed safety standards for these water management systems, including requirements for fencing (at least four feet high with locked gates), safety signage, life-saving equipment, proper ground maintenance, and landscaping to discourage unauthorized entry. Each county must create a permitting process for new ponds, conduct inspections to ensure compliance, and maintain a registry of all existing retention and detention ponds. The bill also requires counties to complete a comprehensive survey of existing ponds and submit a report to the legislature by the 2026 legislative session. Importantly, the legislation provides grant funding to help counties implement these new requirements and was inspired by the story of Charlotte "Sharkey" Schaefers, a five-year-old who tragically drowned. The bill defines two types of ponds: detention ponds (which are dry and designed to hold stormwater temporarily) and retention ponds (which are permanent water systems that trap and filter stormwater), with the ultimate goal of enhancing public safety and environmental management.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1233&year=2025