STAND. COM. REP. NO. 839-24

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 Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2695, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WATER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require each county board of water supply or water board to prioritize the sustainable recharge of aquifers, ensure the health of watersheds, and, when allocating water for new development, prioritize the development of affordable housing over other types of development; provided that these requirements shall not be construed to affect allocations of water for agricultural purposes or developments under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and County of Hawaiʻi Department of Water Supply. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and one individual.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2695, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair