SB 2022 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Summary

Adds a minimum penalty and maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code. Authorizes the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Establishes factors the CWRM must consider when determining the amount of the penalty. Increases maximum fines every 5 years from 2031 to 2046. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

SB2022 → SB2022_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Hawaii's State Water Code penalties by removing specific dollar amounts for fines, replacing them with blank fields likely intended for future legislative action or administrative adjustment. It also sets a new effective date of July 1, 2050, and updates metadata to reflect the bill's progression to the Senate's first reading.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding penalty amounts is now undefined due to the removal of specific dollar figures, while the effective date is extended significantly.

REQUIREMENT

Removed specific minimum and maximum fine amounts (e.g., $50, $5,000, $25,000) and replaced them with blank placeholders.

Removed specific scheduled fine increases for the years 2031, 2036, 2041, and 2046.

TIMELINE

Changed the bill's effective date from immediate approval to July 1, 2050.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata, including author names, bill type, and revision numbers to reflect the Senate's first reading.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 150) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC/WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-04-26 10:35AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC/WAM.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2506) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-26 1:00PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Committee

Referred to WLA, JDC/WAM.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors