Report Title:

Clerk Positions in Department of Agriculture; Molokai

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to maintain two department of agriculture clerk positions at the Molokai Irrigation System and one position at the Kamuela/Waimea Irrigation System. (SD1)

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1226

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to agriculture.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that department of agriculture services at the Molokai Irrigation System and the Kamuela/Waimea Irrigation System, Hawaii are diminishing to unacceptable levels. There are currently plans to eliminate two important positions at the agricultural resource division servicing the Molokai Irrigation System and one position servicing the Kamuela/Waimea Irrigation System. These positions assumed duties that extended far beyond their official duties due to the further downsizing of the department of agriculture At the Molokai Irrigation System and Kamuela/Waimea Irrigation System, the two positions being funded by this Act have been responsible for providing customer service to two hundred thirty-eight local farmers, including providing personal guidance through department of agriculture requirements, assisting with accounting services, and other services. The position at the Kamuela/Waimea Irrigation System also assumed similar additional duties.

If these positions are eliminated, those farmers affected will then be required to interact with persons on Oahu to obtain information and services. This imposes additional costs on these farmers. The Molokai agriculture industry is already challenged by adverse weather conditions, department of agriculture downsizing, and market conditions. The legislature finds that it is unwise to eliminate further services at a time when neighbor island farmers need the most help.

The purpose of this Act is to continue to fund two positions at the agriculture resource division of the department of agriculture servicing the Molokai Irrigation System and one position servicing the Kamuela/Waimea Irrigation System.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $75,948, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for the purposes of funding the following department of agriculture positions:

1. Position No. 38570,

Clerk Typist II, SR 08 $26,412

2. Position No. 22697,

Irrigation System Service Worker I, BC 05 $24,768

3. Position No. 33956

Irrigation System Service Worker I $24,768

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.