HB 510 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes §174C-62 to allow the Commission on Water Resource Management to declare water shortages and impose restrictions both within and outside designated water management areas.

• Limits water shortage declarations to 90 days, with extensions permitted if the commission determines continuation is necessary after reviewing criteria and hydrologic conditions.

• Caps water usage restrictions imposed on permittees or well/stream diversion operators at 20 percent of their last reported monthly usage, or zero if no usage was reported within the preceding 12 months.

• Requires the commission to maintain a list of names and contact information for persons requesting water shortage notifications and send them certified notice by mail or email whenever a shortage is declared.

• Expands public notice requirements to include daily publication for the first week, weekly for four months, and monthly thereafter in newspapers and on the commission's website until the declaration is rescinded.

• Takes effect July 1, 2040.