Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB306: Relating to State Water Code Penalties.
Status: In committee, May 8, 2026
Adds a minimum penalty of $50 and a maximum penalty of $60,000 per violation of the State Water Code and makes each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to determine the amount of the penalty based on the circumstances of the violation.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to state water code penalties.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that in 1987, the state water code was adopted to protect the precious water resources of the State. To better enable the department of land and natural resources and commission on water resource management to carry out that mission, the legislature further finds that the water code's penalties and fines must be amended and increased to serve as an effective deterrence to violators. The legislature further finds that increasing potential fines for water code violations will also: (1) Help to preserve water resources by ensuring the sustainable management and conservation of limited water resources for future generations, particularly in areas facing over--extraction or misuse; (2) Protect the ecosystems by safeguarding wetlands, rivers, and aquifers that depend on healthy water systems to maintain biodiversity and environmental balance; 2026--3367 HB306 CD1 HMSO H.B. NO. ~ Page2 C.D. I (3) Promote public health and safety by preventing contamination of drinking water supplies and reducing health risks associated with waterborne diseases and pollutants; (4) Promote climate change resilience by regulating water usage and protecting vulnerable water sources to address challenges posed by prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, and rising sea levels; (5) Promote economic stability by helping to avoid economic losses in agriculture, tourism, and other industries that rely …
Sponsors
- Mahina Poepoe (D, 13) · primary sponsor
- Tina Grandinetti (D, 20)
- Kim Iwamoto (D, 25)
- Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
- Michael Lee (D, 50)
- Nicole Lowen (D, 7)
- Lisa Marten (D, 51)
- Amy Perruso (D, 46)
- David Tarnas (D, 8)
- Chris Todd (D, 3)
Latest actions
- : Recommitted to Conference committee as amended in CD 1 with none voting no and Representative(s) Ratcliffe excused.
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
- : Deferred one day 05-08-26.
- : Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
- : 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
- : Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 196-26).
- : Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
- : Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 196-26) as amended in (CD 1).
- : The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Tarnas, Morikawa, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
- : The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Rhoads, Hashimoto; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
Votes
- Recommitted to Conference committee as amended in CD 1 with none voting no and Representative(s) Ratcliffe excused (May 8, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 6, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- none. (May 1, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (May 1, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading (April 8, 2025): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 1, 2025): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Penalties, State Water Code Penalties, Prohibition, DLNR
Common questions
- What is HB306?
- HB306 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to State Water Code Penalties.
- What does HB306 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to state water code penalties.
- What is the status of HB306?
- In committee as of May 8, 2026. Latest action: Recommitted to Conference committee as amended in CD 1 with none voting no and Representative(s) Ratcliffe excused. (May 8, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB306?
- Mahina Poepoe (D, 13), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB306?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=306&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.