Hawaii House Bill HB919

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Refer: 1/23/25

Caption

Relating To The Commission On Water Resource Management.

Summary

HB919 would expand the Commission on Water Resource Management from seven to eight members by adding the chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, or that person’s designee, as an ex officio voting member. The bill keeps the existing structure in which the chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources serves as commission chair, and the director of health remains an ex officio voting member. It also updates the membership language to clarify that only the five governor-appointed members are required to have substantial experience in water resource management. The bill’s stated purpose is to strengthen the commission’s ability to protect and allocate water for current and foreseeable development and use of Hawaiian home lands, consistent with existing statutory findings in the state water code. By adding the Hawaiian Homes Commission leadership directly to the decision-making body, the measure is intended to ensure that Hawaiian home lands interests are represented when water resource management decisions are made.

Impact

HB919 would amend section 174C-7 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which governs the composition and authority of the Commission on Water Resource Management. The bill increases the commission’s membership from seven to eight and changes the ex officio membership provisions to include the chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission or designee as a voting member. It also clarifies that the experience requirement applies only to the five gubernatorial appointees, not to ex officio members. The practical effect is to give Hawaiian Homes Commission leadership a formal vote in state water governance and to reinforce statutory attention to Hawaiian home lands water needs.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed positively and as a targeted governance adjustment rather than a broad policy change. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided material, so no direct opposition or support statements are available. The bill’s language and report description suggest an intent to improve representation and align the commission’s membership with existing statutory obligations regarding Hawaiian home lands.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the addition of another voting member to a commission with exclusive authority over state water code implementation, which could affect how decisions are made and how influence is distributed among stakeholders. Another possible issue is whether the Hawaiian Homes Commission’s direct participation could shift water allocation priorities toward Hawaiian home lands interests, though the bill presents that as its purpose. The clarification that only appointed members must have water-management expertise may also matter to those concerned about maintaining technical qualifications on the commission.