HI HB322

Requires each county's board or department of water supply to submit a water access plan to the legislature by January 1, 2013, to provide potable water access to all populated areas in their respective counties.

Counties must obtain legislative approval before implementing their water access plans and submit annual progress reports to the legislature at least 20 days before each regular session convenes.

Mandates that counties prioritize federal funding (such as through the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service) before utilizing state or county moneys to carry out water access plans.

Defines "populated area" as a geographic area with greater than a specified number of residents per square mile and "water access" as provision of potable water for residents, without necessarily requiring direct pipeline construction to individual homes.

Addresses the lack of potable water access for approximately 30,000 to 60,000 rural residents in Hawaii, particularly in the Puna, Kau, and Hamakua districts on Hawaii Island.