REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO INCORPORATE INTO THEIR ASSESSMENT PROCESS THE POSSESSION OR ACTIVE SEEKING OF DAM LIABILITY INSURANCE BY PRIVATE DAM OWNERS.

This Senate Resolution requests that Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources consider whether private dam owners have liability insurance when assessing dam safety. The bill aims to make insurance coverage a valid mitigation measure that could help relax certain regulatory restrictions on dams. It also asks the department to consider dams safe without requiring specific engineering reports unless there is a probable risk of human life loss, and to avoid classifying dams as high hazard based solely on engineering risk assessments. Additionally, the resolution urges the department to make grant program criteria more transparent and to allow applicants to seek clarification and appeal decisions regarding the Dam Improvement or Removal Grant Program.