HI HB1711

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 174C (state water code) to recognize conservation and protection of agricultural activity on important agricultural lands as a public trust purpose in water resource planning and allocation.

Adds new subsection (e) to section 174C-2 requiring the state water commission to protect public trust purposes including resource protection, domestic uses, native Hawaiian traditional rights, and agricultural activity on lands designated as important agricultural lands under chapter 205, part III.

Changes statutory language in section 174C-2(b) from "is accepted" to "shall be accepted" and updates pronouns for consistency, making the Hawaii water plan a binding guide rather than discretionary reference for water policy implementation.

Effective July 1, 2009, providing legislative framework to support viable agricultural operations on important agricultural lands by ensuring sufficient water availability for irrigation and agricultural uses as a recognized public interest.