THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
811
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to state water code penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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 purpose of this Act is to ensure that all violators of the state water code are held accountable for their violations by creating a minimum penalty of $50 for every violation.
SECTION 2. Section 174C-15, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§174C-15 Penalties and common law remedies. (a) The commission may enforce its rules and orders adopted pursuant to this chapter by suit for injunction or for damages or both.
(b) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter, [[Struck through: or]] [Underlined: violates] any rule adopted pursuant to this chapter, [[Struck through: may]] [Underlined: violates any order of the commission, fails to obtain a permit when a permit is required under this chapter, or fails to comply with permit conditions, shall] be subject to a fine imposed by the commission. [[Struck through: Such]] [Underlined: The] fine [Underlined: shall be not less than $50 and] shall not exceed $5,000[[Struck through: . For a continuing offense, each day during which the offense is committed is a separate violation.]] [Underlined: per violation. Each day that a violation exists or continues to exist shall constitute a separate offense. Penalties for continuing violations shall be assessed from the earliest known date of the violation. The earliest known date of a violation shall be determined by the commission by a preponderance of the evidence; provided that if the earliest known date cannot be determined by a preponderance of the evidence, penalties for continuing violations shall be assessed from the earliest date the commission is made aware of the violation.]
[Underlined: (c) The commission shall determine the penalty amount for each violation upon review of the circumstances of the violation, taking into account the nature, extent, and gravity of the violation and considering the history of the violations, degree of culpability, and other matters as justice may require.]
[[Struck through: (c)]] [Underlined: (d)] No provision of this chapter shall bar the right of any injured person to seek other legal or equitable relief against a violator of this chapter.
[[Struck through: (d)]] [Underlined: (e)] Except as otherwise provided by law, the commission or its authorized representative by proper delegation [[Struck through: may]] [Underlined: shall] set, charge, and collect administrative fines[Underlined: ;] [[Struck through: or]] [Underlined: may] bring legal action to recover administrative fees and costs as documented by receipts or affidavit, including attorneys' fees and costs; [[Struck through: or]] [Underlined: and may] bring legal action to recover administrative fines, fees, and costs, including attorneys' fees and costs, or payment for damages resulting from a violation of this chapter or any rule adopted pursuant to this chapter."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
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Report Title:
CWRM; State Water Code; Penalties
Description:
Adds a minimum penalty of $50 per violation of the State Water Code and makes each day that a violation exists or continues a separate offense. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to determine the amount of the penalty based on the circumstances of the violation.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.