This week, the Hawaii Legislature introduced a slate of stormwater and water related bills, including:
- SB2536: establishes green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines for state facility systems, infrastructure, and transit projects. For more information and the current status of this bill, please visit https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2536&year=2022
- SB2650: transfers functions regarding water quality, including water pollution, nonpoint source pollution management and control, drinking water standards, mandatory certification of public water system operates, and wastewater, from the Department of Health to the Commission on Water Resource Management. For more information and the current status of this bill, please visit https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2650&year=2022
- HB2181/SB3149: these companion bills exempt the State, and its departments and agencies, from county stormwater user fees. For more information on these bills and their current status, please visit https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=3149&year=2022
- HB1902/SB3010: these companion bills amend provisions that exempt a proposed housing project of the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation from statutes, ordinances, charter provisions to include a requirement that the proposed project does not impact wetlands or natural stormwater infrastructure. For more information and the current status of these bills please visit https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=3010&year=2022
- HB2196: requires the department of land and natural resources to establish and implement a two-year stream maintenance reimbursement pilot program to reimburse homeowners for clearing debris in and around streams near their property. For more information and the current status of this bill, please visit https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2196&year=2022