HI SB145

Commission on Water Resource Management must formulate water shortage plans and adopt permit classification systems through rulemaking to uniformly apply restrictions during water shortages.

Commission can declare water shortages within or outside water management areas when insufficient water exists or conditions require temporary reductions in water use, with criteria including climate crisis impacts.

Commission may impose restrictions on permit classes and well and stream diversion works owners and operators outside management areas to protect water resources and restore water quantity or chloride levels.

Water shortage notices must be published in newspapers and on the commission's website daily for the first week, then weekly for four months, followed by monthly publications until rescinded.

Commission shall notify permittees by regular mail and electronic mail of permit condition changes, suspensions, or water use restrictions during shortages; emergency orders may be issued if restrictions prove insufficient to protect public health, safety, welfare, or water-dependent uses.