S.B. 915 Summary

• Prohibits the board of land and natural resources from approving land dispositions authorizing water diversion from streams unless authorization is limited to no more than 15 years.

• Requires the board to have accurate information on stream water flow and proposed diversion amounts before approval, and charges fees at least 90 percent of the avoided cost to the applicant of obtaining water from alternative sources.

• Restricts diversions to no more than 50 percent of water in a stream at any time and requires the board to conclude the diversion will not adversely impact ecological, cultural, recreational, and aesthetic values.

• Directs all moneys collected from land dispositions authorizing water diversion from streams to be deposited into the forest stewardship fund, with constitutionally-entitled shares going to the department of Hawaiian home lands and office of Hawaiian affairs.

• Takes effect upon approval.