HI SB1502

Increases the Commission on Water Resource Management from 7 to 8 members by adding the chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission or the chairperson's designee as an ex officio, voting member.

Requires the new Hawaiian Homes Commission representative to serve as a voting member with full authority in the commission's decisions on water resource management implementation and administration.

Addresses the legislature's finding that the state water code has not been fully implemented to protect adequate water reserves for Hawaiian home lands development, as required by Hawaii Revised Statutes section 174C-101(a).

Notes that water reserves have only been made on Oahu, Molokai, and in Keauhou on the island of Hawaii, and that Hawaiian Homes Commission representation is necessary for proper implementation statewide.

Becomes effective on July 1, 2019.