§174C-7  Commission on water resource
management.  (a)  There is established within the department a commission
on water resource management consisting of seven members which shall have
exclusive jurisdiction and final authority in all matters relating to
implementation and administration of the state water code, except as otherwise
specifically provided in this chapter.



(b)  Five members shall be appointed by the
governor subject to confirmation by the senate, in a manner prescribed in
subsection (d).  Each member shall have substantial experience in the area of
water resource management; provided that at least one member shall have
substantial experience or expertise in traditional Hawaiian water resource
management techniques and in traditional Hawaiian riparian usage such as those
preserved by section 174C-101.  The chairperson of the board of land and
natural resources shall be the chairperson of the commission.  The director of
health shall serve as an ex officio voting member.



(c)  The members of the commission shall serve
without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel
expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.



(d)  In appointing a member to the commission,
the governor shall select from a list submitted by a nominating committee.  The
nominating committee shall be composed of four individuals chosen as follows: 
two persons appointed by the governor; one person appointed by the president of
the senate; and one person appointed by the speaker of the house.  The
committee shall solicit applications and send to the governor the names of at
least three individuals for each open position.



(e)  Except as otherwise provided in this
chapter, the commission shall be subject to sections 26-34, 26-35, and 26-36.
[L 1987, c 45, pt of §2; am L 2003, c 184, §1]