STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3340

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 2835
                                        H.D. 2
                                        S.D. 2




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

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B.
No. 2835, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WATERSHED PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to provide protection for
Hawaii's watershed by establishing a watershed protection trust
fund and a watershed protection tax.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii's watersheds are a crucial
part of Hawaii's environment, as they are vital recharge areas
for the underground aquifers which are the source of Hawaii's
fresh water.  They must be protected to ensure Hawaii's future.
Fresh water is not an inexhaustible resource but must be
protected, preserved, and enhanced.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this
bill by removing all language relating to the establishment of a
watershed protection trust fund and a watershed protection tax,
and inserting language appropriating an unspecified amount of
funds for watershed protection to be expended by the Department
of Land and Natural Resources.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3340
                                   Page 2


Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No.
2835, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it
pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2835,
H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

                                 Respectfully submitted on behalf
                                 of the members of the Committee
                                 on Ways and Means,



                                 ________________________________
                                 CAROL FUKUNAGA, Co-Chair



                                 ________________________________
                                 ANDREW LEVIN, Co-Chair

 
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