HB 1255 Summary

• Establishes a minimum penalty of $50 per violation of Hawaii's state water code, with a maximum penalty of $5,000 per offense.

• Defines each day that a violation exists or continues as a separate offense, allowing penalties for continuing violations to accumulate.

• Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to determine penalty amounts based on the nature, extent, and gravity of the violation, the violator's ability to pay, history of violations, and degree of culpability.

• Allows penalties for continuing violations to be assessed from the earliest known date of the violation as determined by the commission, or from the earliest date the commission becomes aware of the violation if the earliest date cannot be determined.

• Takes effect upon approval.