# Hawaii SB 3: RELATING TO WATER.

Hawaii SB 3, RELATING TO WATER., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1) Senate bill sponsored by Lorraine R. Inouye (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2025-02-12 (Reported from WTL/PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 376) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB3-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii SB 3
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)
- Title: RELATING TO WATER.
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-08
- Last action: 2025-02-12, Reported from WTL/PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 376) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.
- Sponsor: Lorraine R. Inouye (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 5
- Subjects: CWRM, BLNR, Public Trust Purpose, Responsibilities, Board Membership, WTL/PSM, JDC/WAM
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Establishes a public trust purpose for the Commission on Water Resource Management. Allows the Commission on Water Resource Management to retain independent counsel. Repeals the First Deputy to the Chairperson of the Commission on Water Resource Management. Establishes the Executive Director of the Commission on Water Resource Management. Administratively attaches the Commission on Water Resource Management to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Authorizes members of the Commission on Water Resource Management to be eligible to serve as chairperson. Requires the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Director of Health to serve as ex officio voting members ineligible to serve as chairperson. Authorizes entities to whom an emergency order is directed to challenge the order under certain conditions. Clarifies the notification requirements and contents of declarations of water shortages. Establishes fines. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Lorraine R. Inouye (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Stanley Chang (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Carol Fukunaga (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Kurt Fevella (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Troy N. Hashimoto (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Angus L.K. McKelvey (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (8)

- 2025-02-12: Reported from WTL/PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 376) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM. (Senate)
- 2025-02-12: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC/WAM. (Senate)
- 2025-02-03: The committee(s) on WTL recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WTL were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, Elefante, Chang, McKelvey, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. (Senate)
- 2025-02-03: The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Wakai, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga, Rhoads. (Senate)
- 2025-01-31: The committee(s) on WTL/PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-25 1:05PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2025-01-16: Referred to WTL/PSM, JDC/WAM. (Senate)
- 2025-01-15: Introduced and passed First Reading. (Senate)
- 2025-01-08: Pending Introduction. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Bill Text: [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB3_SD1_.pdf)
- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB3_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB3_.PDF)
- SB3_SD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB3_SD1_.HTM)

## Related bills

- SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES. (signed)
- SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY. (signed)
- HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS. (signed)
- HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION. (signed)

## Sources
- [Bill Text (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB3_SD1_.pdf)
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB3_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB3_.PDF)
- [SB3_SD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB3_SD1_.HTM)

## Related
- [SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB572-2025)
- [HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB431-2025)
- [HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB420-2025)
- [SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB1296-2025)
- [HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB830-2025)
- [HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1064-2025)
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- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB3-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).