RELATING TO WATER.

Added a new definition of 'public trust purpose' that prioritizes maintaining water in its natural state, Native Hawaiian traditional practices, domestic water uses, and Hawaiian home land reservations.

Replaced the First Deputy to the Chairperson position with a new Executive Director position, changing appointment authority to the commission itself rather than the chairperson.

Requires the commission to prioritize public trust purpose applications over other water permit applications in its review process.

Changed the commission's composition by adding the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Director of Health as ex officio voting members who cannot serve as chairperson.

Established a requirement that at least one commission member have expertise in traditional Hawaiian water resource management techniques.

Increased maximum fines for water violations from $5,000 to $60,000 per violation and clarified that each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense.

Allows entities to challenge emergency orders from the commission under specific conditions, requiring the commission to give precedence to these hearings.

Added the Executive Director of CWRM to the list of state officials who are prohibited from representing clients before the legislature for one year after leaving office.

Changed the effective date of the bill from January 2025 to July 1, 2050.