HI HB636

Establishes a two-year water conservation financial assistance pilot program within each of the four county water supply departments to provide funding for water conservation incentive programs.

County water systems may offer rebate programs refunding customers up to 50 percent of installation costs for water conserving technologies, or direct replacement programs paying the full installation cost.

Water conserving technologies eligible for assistance include rain barrels, cisterns, smart irrigation controllers, turf grass replacement, high-efficiency toilets, grey-water systems, and WaterSense labeled products.

Each county water supply department must provide matching funds on a one-to-one basis with state appropriations and submit a report to the legislature by 20 days before the 2019 regular session on water conservation results.

Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, with no disbursement to counties unless matched dollar-for-dollar; program takes effect July 1, 2050, and repeals June 30, 2019.