HI SB867

Establishes a working group within the Office of the Governor to address watershed management and water resources in relation to affordable housing development statewide.

Requires the working group to conduct an inventory of available water resources, identify aquifer replenishment opportunities by county, assess water source capacity for affordable housing, and streamline well permit approval processes.

Working group shall address mitigating impacts from affordable housing development, projected water usage after project completion, water allocation rules for each county, the commission on water resource management's role in housing development, and federal obligations affecting new water sources.

Working group membership includes the chief housing officer (chairperson), legislative committee chairs on housing, Hawaii housing finance and development corporation, commission on water resource management, department of health, department of land and natural resources, county planning directors, county housing directors, and county water supply engineers.

Working group must submit an interim report by September 15, 2025, and a final report with findings and recommendations no later than twenty days before the 2026 regular legislative session; group dissolves on June 30, 2026.