Report Title:

Irrigation projects

Description:

Appropriates funds for agricultural irrigation projects statewide.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

660

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELating to irrigation systems.

 

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

SECTION 1. Hawaii's economy has undergone dramatic change over the past fifty years. It has evolved from a plantation-based agrarian economy to one centered on tourism, military spending, and the retail and construction industries. In recent years, the focus has expanded to include an emerging high technology sector as well as diversified agriculture and biotechnology.

The legislature finds that in spite of the growing shift in emphasis away from it, the agricultural industry still remains an essential component of Hawaii's economic landscape. According to the Hawaii agricultural statistics service, farm revenue for crops surpassed $500,000,000 in 2001. This level of agricultural production requires vast amounts of space and resources. One of the most critical needs is a steady and reliable source of water. To ensure that this invaluable resource is made readily available, irrigation systems have been established on islands throughout the State.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to support agricultural irrigation projects statewide.

SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for fiscal year 2003-2004 to fund improvements for agricultural irrigation systems statewide.

SECTION 3. The appropriation made for the capital improvement projects authorized in this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made; provided that all appropriations, that are unencumbered as of June 30, 2006, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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