S.B. 2355 Summary

• Designates fire safety use as a beneficial use of water in the state water code, allowing fresh water to be used for wildfire prevention, control, and extinguishment.

• Amends Section 174C-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to add fire safety to the list of beneficial water uses alongside domestic, agricultural, commercial, industrial, and other established uses.

• Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources, in consultation with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, to develop protocols and agreements with counties and reservoir owners for emergency use of reservoir waters for fire safety purposes.

• Protocols and agreements must address emergency use of reservoir waters while balancing various competing water uses.

• Takes effect upon approval.