Bill > SB3004

This bill amends the State Water Code to strengthen penalties for violations, aiming to better protect Hawaii's water resources. It establishes a minimum penalty of $50 and a maximum penalty of $5,000 per violation for offenses that do not cause harm, and a maximum of $25,000 per violation for those that do cause harm, with this latter amount scheduled to increase incrementally to $45,000 by 2045. The Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM), the state agency responsible for water resources, is now authorized to consider each day a violation continues as a separate offense and must take into account several factors when determining the penalty amount, including the nature and extent of the violation, any economic benefit gained by the violator, and the harm caused to others or the environment. The bill also clarifies what constitutes a violation, encompassing failure to obtain permits, non-compliance with permit conditions, and failure to conduct required water audits.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=3004&year=2026