HI SB1502

Increases the Commission on Water Resource Management from seven to eight members by adding the chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission or their designee as an ex officio, voting member.

Requires the new member to have expertise relevant to protecting water reserves for Hawaiian home lands development, addressing legislative findings that current water code implementation is incomplete on most islands.

Maintains that the five gubernatorial appointees to the commission must have substantial experience in water resource management, with at least one having expertise in traditional Hawaiian water management techniques.

Takes effect on July 1, 2019.