This amendment requires all Hawaii counties to allow people to install rainwater catchment systems on any property, even if they are already connected to public water.
Hawaii2026Enacted
HB1728
Law Requiring Counties to Allow Rainwater Catchment Systems
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 11:30 PM
In one sentence
This law requires Hawaii counties to allow rainwater catchment systems for drinking and non-drinking uses on all properties, while giving counties the power to set safety rules.
What it does
- Requires every county to permit installing and using rainwater catchment systems on all properties.
- Allows these systems to be used for both drinking water (potable) and other needs like irrigation or toilet flushing (non-potable).
- Applies to properties whether they are connected to a public water system or not.
- Requires counties to create rules covering safety, maintenance, design, and backflow prevention standards.
- Allows counties to require registration, inspection, or notification of these systems if needed for health protection.
Who it affects
- County governments responsible for water regulations
- Property owners who want to install rainwater catchment systems
Limits and unknowns
- The law does not list specific safety standards; it only requires counties to create them.
- It states that counties cannot unreasonably restrict these systems but does not define what counts as unreasonable.
- The effective date is listed as upon approval, so the exact start time depends on when the Governor signed it.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Rainwater catchment system
- A setup that collects and stores rain from rooftops or other surfaces for use in drinking, cleaning, watering plants, or flushing toilets.
- Potable uses
- Uses of water that is safe to drink.
- Non-potable uses
- Uses of water for things like irrigation, cleaning, or toilet flushing where drinking quality is not required.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
RELATING TO RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS. Counties; Rainwater Catchment Systems Requires the counties to allow for the installation and operation of rainwater catchment systems for potable and nonpotable uses on all properties. Allows the counties to require registration, inspection, or notification of rainwater catchment systems. (CD1)
Official activity
Bill history
- Act 209, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1311).H
- Act 209, 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1311).S
- Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).S
- Transmitted to Governor.H
- Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).H
- Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).H
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.S
- 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26S
- Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 84-26).S
- Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday 05-06-26.H
- Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 84-26) as amended in (CD 1).H
- The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Tarnas, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.H
- The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, San Buenaventura, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..S
- Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-29-26 10:50AM; Conference Room 325.S
- Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 713).H
- Senate Conferees Appointed: Wakai Chair; Lee, C., San Buenaventura Co-Chairs; Fevella.S
- Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).S
- House Conferees Appointed: Hashem, Tarnas Co-Chairs; Souza.H
- Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).S
- House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).H
Changes
Amendments
3 stored
This amendment requires all Hawaii counties to allow rainwater catchment systems on every property while setting safety rules to prevent water contamination.
This amendment requires the Department of Health to allow rainwater catchment systems on all properties in Hawaii while creating new safety rules for their use.