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Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 2164: RELATING TO DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY.

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 2164 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 14, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY. Primary sponsor: Tim Richards (Democratic), Angus McKelvey (Democratic). It lists 2 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (January 26, 2026): Referred to WLA/CPN, WAM/JDC.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to incorporate into their assessment process the possession of dam liability insurance or the active seeking of dam liability insurance by private dam owners, as part of their valid mitigation measures, in conjunction with approved modifications or repairs. Prohibits the DLNR from classifying a dam as high hazard based only on its engineering risk assessment results. 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-hazard. Establishes additional requirements for the DLNR and Board of Land and Natural Resources regarding the Dam and Appurtenance Improvement or Removal Grant Program.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Tim RichardsPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate4
Angus McKelveyPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate6
Joy San BuenaventuraCo-sponsorDemocraticSenate2
Carol FukunagaCo-sponsorDemocraticSenate11

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Referred to WLA/CPN, WAM/JDC.
  2. Introduced and passed First Reading.
  3. Pending Introduction.

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source