# Hawaii SB 503: RELATING TO DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY.

Hawaii SB 503, RELATING TO DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) Senate bill sponsored by Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-01-21 (Re-Referred to WLA/CPN, WAM/JDC.) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB503-2026
- 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 503
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-17
- Last action: 2026-01-21, Re-Referred to WLA/CPN, WAM/JDC.
- Sponsor: Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 5
- Subjects: DLNR, BLNR, Dam and Reservoir Safety, Inspections, Risk Assessment, Risk Mitigation, Dam Insurance, High Hazard, Burden of Proof, Dam and Appurtenance Improvement or Removal Grant Program, WLA/CPN, WAM/JDC
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to incorporate into their assessment process the possession of dam insurance or the active seeking of dam insurance by private dam owners, as part of their valid mitigation strategies, in conjunction with approved modifications or repairs. Authorizes the DLNR to relax any restrictions and stringent standards on a dam or appurtenance upon verification of certain insurance coverage. Authorizes the DLNR to consider a dam, reservoir, or appurtenance is safe absent certain documents. Shifts the burden of proof to the DLNR to find that a dam is categorized as high-risk. Establishes additional requirements for the DLNR and Board of Land and Natural Resources regarding the Dam and Appurtenance Improvement or Removal Grant Program.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Stanley Chang (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Kurt Fevella (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Carol Fukunaga (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Troy N. Hashimoto (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Angus L.K. McKelvey (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (5)

- 2026-01-21: Re-Referred to WLA/CPN, WAM/JDC. (Senate)
- 2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- 2025-01-21: Referred to WTL/CPN, WAM/JDC. (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Introduced. (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Passed First Reading. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB503_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB503_.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/SB503_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB503_.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-SB503-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).