Bill > HB1652

This bill amends existing law to exempt certain types of stormwater management systems from regulations originally established by Act 281, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, which aimed to improve public safety around retention ponds and detention ponds (areas designed to hold stormwater temporarily or permanently). Specifically, the bill defines and exempts "agricultural infrastructure," which includes ponds or reservoirs primarily used for farming purposes like irrigation or livestock watering, even if they incidentally collect stormwater. It also exempts "low-risk green stormwater infrastructure," which are systems like rain gardens or vegetated swales designed to manage stormwater through natural processes and have specific limitations on ponding depth and drainage time. The bill's stated purpose is to encourage the use of these ecologically beneficial features without discouraging their adoption due to the regulatory burden. This change is set to take effect on July 1, 3000.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1652&year=2026