STAND. COM. REP. NO. 495-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2695

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water & Land and Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2695 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WATER,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require each county to:

(1) Prioritize the sustainable recharge of aquifers;

(2) Ensure the health of watersheds; and

(3) Prioritize the development of affordable housing over other types of development when allocating water for new development.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and one individual. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply.

Your Committees find that this measure helps to ensure that the finite and precious resource of fresh water is used sustainably so that it remains available for future generations to enjoy.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water & Land and Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2695, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2695, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water & Land and Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair

____________________________ LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair