# Hawaii SB 272: RELATING TO WATER.

Hawaii SB 272, RELATING TO WATER., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) Senate bill sponsored by Ronald D. Kouchi (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-01-21 (Re-Referred to WLA/PSM, JDC/WAM.) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB272-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii SB 272
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO WATER.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-14
- Last action: 2026-01-21, Re-Referred to WLA/PSM, JDC/WAM.
- Sponsor: Ronald D. Kouchi (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Maui County Council Package, Water, CWRM, Emergency Orders, Water Shortages, Fines, WLA/PSM, JDC/WAM
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Defines the public trust responsibilities of the Commission on Water Resource Management. Allows the Commission to retain independent legal counsel. Amends the scope of the Commission to include declaration of emergencies. Repeals the position of Deputy to the Chairperson of the Commission on Water Resource Management and establishes the position of Executive Director. Amends the composition of the Commission. Authorizes entities to challenge an emergency order of the Commission under certain conditions. Establishes fines for certain water use offenses.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Ronald D. Kouchi (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (5)

- 2026-01-21: Re-Referred to WLA/PSM, JDC/WAM. (Senate)
- 2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- 2025-01-21: Referred to WTL/PSM, JDC/WAM. (Senate)
- 2025-01-15: Introduced and passed First Reading. (Senate)
- 2025-01-14: Pending Introduction. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB272_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB272_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB272_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB272_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2344-2026)
- [HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2023-2026)
- [HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2021-2026)
- [SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2338-2026)
- [HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1973-2026)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB272-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).