§174C-7  Commission on water resourcemanagement.  (a)  There is established within the department a commissionon water resource management consisting of seven members which shall haveexclusive jurisdiction and final authority in all matters relating toimplementation and administration of the state water code, except as otherwisespecifically provided in this chapter.

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

(c)  The members of the commission shall servewithout compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travelexpenses, 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.  Thenominating committee shall be composed of four individuals chosen as follows: two persons appointed by the governor; one person appointed by the president ofthe senate; and one person appointed by the speaker of the house.  Thecommittee shall solicit applications and send to the governor the names of atleast three individuals for each open position.

(e)  Except as otherwise provided in thischapter, 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]