HI HB1551

Adds fire safety as a beneficial use of fresh water in Hawaii's State Water Code, recognizing the public's health, safety, and welfare need for available fresh water during wildfires.

Authorizes the Commission on Water Resource Management to declare emergencies during wildfires when water shortage threatens public health and safety, and to issue orders apportioning, rotating, limiting, or prohibiting water use to address the emergency; emergency orders expire within one year unless extended.

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 using reservoir waters for fire prevention and suppression.

Allows public water suppliers to declare water shortage emergency conditions without holding a public hearing in the event of a wildfire.

Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to give precedence to hearings challenging emergency orders over all other pending matters, though parties must immediately comply with orders while their challenges are processed.