Report Title:

Appropriation; East Kauai Irrigation System

Description:

Appropriates funds for operation and maintenance of the East Kauai Irrigation System to be expended by the Agribusiness Development Corporation. (HB161 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

161

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for the operation and maintenance of the east kauai irrigation system.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that a reliable irrigation system is the lifeblood for Hawaii's agricultural industry. To ensure that Hawaii's crops receive a steady and dependable supply of water, funds must be expended to maintain and improve Hawaii's irrigation systems.

The legislature finds that a potential crisis is developing at the east Kauai irrigation system. Amfac sugar company announced in 2001 that it was ceasing operation of its ditch system, comprising twenty-two miles of ditch and three reservoirs, which had served two thousand acres of land in the Kapaa area. The east Kauai water users' cooperative received a revocable permit to operate this state-owned system and took over operations in March of 2002.

However, the legislature finds that the cooperative is faced with a serious funding shortfall. Income from users is insufficient to pay for the normal operations and maintenance expense of the irrigation system.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the operation and maintenance of the east Kauai irrigation system.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004 and the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005 for the operation and maintenance of the east Kauai irrigation system.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.