STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2867

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 2576
                                        H.D. 1
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, and Hawaiian Affairs, to
which was referred H.B. No. 2576, H.D. 1, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
     FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish a Water Resource
Management Fund for the Commission on Water Resource Management
(Commission) to use for water-related activities.

     The Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Board of
Water Supply of the City and County of Honolulu, and the Nature
Conservancy of Hawaii testified in support of the measure.  The
Office of Hawaiian Affairs submitted comments on the measure.

     Your Committee finds that since 1994, the Commission on
Water Resource Management's budget has been reduced by eighteen
percent.  While the Special Land and Development Fund accounts
for roughly six percent of the Commission's funding, the
remaining portion of its budget is derived from state general
funds.  As such, during these fiscally trying times, the
Commission's budget has constantly been a target for further
cutbacks.

     Your Committee believes that a consistent source of funding
through the establishment of a Water Resource Management Fund
would allow the Commission to fully carry out its

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2867
                                   Page 2


responsibilities and to implement monitoring, management,
enforcement, and resource protection programs/activities that are
necessary to sustain the State's limited water resources.

     Your Committee has amended the measure by making a
technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purpose of style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Water, Land, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached
to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and
purpose of H.B. No. 2576, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and
recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached
hereto as H.B. No. 2576, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Water, Land, and
                                   Hawaiian Affairs,



                                   ______________________________
                                   COLLEEN HANABUSA, Chair

 
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