SB3327 Summary

• Defines "public trust purposes" for water resource management (maintaining natural water states, Native Hawaiian traditional practices, domestic uses, and Hawaiian homestead water) and requires the commission to prioritize permit applications for these purposes before other applications.

• Establishes an "executive director" position appointed by the commission (replacing the deputy to the chairperson) to administer the state water code and implement commission directives, with salary set by the commission.

• Allows the Commission on Water Resource Management to retain independent legal counsel, making it exempt from the general attorney general monopoly on state legal representation.

• Increases civil penalties for water code violations from a maximum of $5,000 to $50-$60,000 per violation, with each day of violation counting as a separate offense and allowing recovery of attorney's fees and costs.

• Authorizes the commission to declare water emergencies (outside management areas) and allows entities to challenge emergency orders while remaining immediately compliant pending resolution; expands water shortage declaration procedures to include climate crisis impacts and electronic notice requirements.