HI HB2331

Establishes a dam and reservoir working group placed within the office of planning and sustainable development to ensure and enhance the continued availability and safe operation of dams and reservoirs in Hawaii.

Working group shall consist of representatives from state agencies (office of planning and sustainable development, board of land and natural resources, board of agriculture, agribusiness development corporation, commission on water resource management), Hawaii emergency management agency, county emergency management agencies, state fire council, and agricultural organizations (Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii).

Working group shall review state laws and policies related to dams and reservoirs, assess current and potential uses of the 127 state-regulated dams and reservoirs, develop investment prioritization criteria, and create a ten-year financial and management plan addressing priority dams and reservoirs by county.

Working group shall submit findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the legislature no later than sixty days before the 2026 regular session convenes.

Appropriates funds from general revenues for fiscal year 2024-2025 to support the working group's work; working group ceases to exist on June 30, 2026.