Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SB521: Relating to Access to Water on Hawaiian Home Lands.
Status: Failed, February 13, 2026
Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to work with the appropriate county board or department of water supply to provide access to potable and agricultural water on Hawaiian home lands; provided that any agreement between DHHL and that county board or department of water supply is made available to the public.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to access to water on hawaiian home lands.
From the introduced text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ACCESS TO WATER ON HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS. SECTION 1. Chapter 174C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as county board or department of water supply; agreements. The department of Hawaiian home lands shall work with the appropriate county board or department of water supply to provide access to potable and agricultural water on Hawaiian home lands; provided that any agreement between the department of Hawaiian home lands and the county board or department of water supply shall be made available to the public." SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 2025-0647 SB SMA.docx Mnmuni S.B. NO. S2/ Report County Board or Department of Water Supply; Access to Water; Hawaiian Home Lands; Agreements Description: Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to work with the appropriate county board or department of water supply to provide access to potable and agricultural water on Hawaiian home lands; provided that any agreement between DHHL and that county board or department of water supply is made available to the public. The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent. 2025-0647 SB SMA.docx IIHIIIHIHIBSSS:
Sponsors
- Tim Richards (D, SD-004) · primary sponsor
- Henry Aquino (D, 19)
- Stanley Chang (D, 9)
- Kurt Fevella (R, 20)
- Mike Gabbard (D, 21)
Latest actions
- : The committee on WLA deferred the measure.
- : The committee on HWN deferred the measure.
- : The committee(s) on HWN deferred the measure until 02-12-26 1:05PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
- : The committee(s) on WLA deferred the measure until 02-13-26 1:00PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.
- : The committee(s) on HWN/WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-10-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
- : Re-Referred to HWN/WLA, JDC.
- : Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- : Re-Referred to HWN/WTL, JDC.
- : Referred to HWN/WTL/EIG, JDC.
- : Passed First Reading.
Subjects: Access To Water On Hawaiian Home Lands, Report, Counties
Common questions
- What is SB521?
- SB521 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Access to Water on Hawaiian Home Lands.
- What does SB521 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to access to water on hawaiian home lands.
- What is the status of SB521?
- Failed as of February 13, 2026. Latest action: The committee on WLA deferred the measure. (February 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB521?
- Tim Richards (D, SD-004), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB521?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=521&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.