STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1672

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2019

 

RE:   S.B. No. 223

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 223, S.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IRRIGATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to enhance and maintain the state irrigation systems by:

 

(1)  With respect to the East Kauai Irrigation System (System):

 

(A) Establishing in and appropriating general funds for the Agricultural Resource Management Division (Division) of the Department of Agriculture's (DOA) five full-time equivalent positions, including a District Manager position, three Irrigation System Worker II positions, and one Office Assistant III position; and appropriating fifty percent of the funds for the Engineering Program Manager position and Agricultural Lands Program Manager position from the Non-agricultural Park Lands Special Fund and Agricultural Park Special Fund, respectively;

 

(B)  Transferring operational authority of specified portions of the System, currently operated and maintained by the East Kauai Water Users' Cooperative (Cooperative), to DOA;

 

(C)  Until the transfer to DOA, authorizing DOA to enter into agreements with the Cooperative relating to billing and collecting fees for deposit into the general fund and operating and maintaining the System; and

 

(D)  Authorizing an extension to July 1, 2021, whereby the Cooperative must obtain a streams diversion works permit from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; provided that the Cooperative can demonstrate significant progress in the permit application process; and

 

(2)  Authorizing general obligations bonds and appropriating funds to assist the Division with plans, designs, land acquisition, and equipment to increase state irrigation system capacity statewide.

 

     The Cooperative, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Larry Jefts Farms, LLC, Kalepa Koalition, Saiva Siddhanta Church, and a concerned individual supported this measure.  DOA submitted comments on this measure.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2150, to encourage further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 223, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 223, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair