A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. This Act is recommended by the governor for immediate passage in accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.

SECTION 2. In accordance with sections 37-92(b) and 37-92(h), Hawaii Revised Statutes, the governor has determined that the appropriations contained in this Act will cause the general fund appropriation ceiling of the executive branch to be exceeded in fiscal year 2000–2001 by $200,000 or __________________ per cent. The reason for exceeding the executive general fund appropriation ceiling is to ensure that the public interest is served, and to meet the needs provided for by this Act.

SECTION 3. Act 91, Session Laws of Hawaii 1999, as amended by Act 281, Session Laws of Hawaii 2000, appropriated a certain designated sum to the department of agriculture to provide funds for the expenditures of the state irrigation program as set forth in chapters 167 and 168, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000 and ending June 30, 2001.

A critical funding emergency exists. For the past three years, the State’s irrigation systems have been experiencing severe drought conditions, which have caused fund balances to decline over this period. Moreover, new irrigation systems have not been able to generate adequate water toll revenues due to unforeseeable delays, including new farmer startups and the installation of meters for water users. For example, the Lower Hamakua ditch will require a detailed inventory of water users before meters can be installed and water tolls can be charged. Due to the size of the ditch, 25 miles long, the inventory will take considerable time to complete and, until then, only sporadic water toll revenues will be generated.

Due to the foregoing problems and delays, any carryover balance from previous years has been depleted and the appropriated funding for fiscal year 2000-2001 will be insufficient until water toll revenues can recover.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate additional general funds in fiscal year 2000-2001 to ensure the uninterrupted operation and maintenance of the State’s irrigation systems.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2000-2001, to be deposited into the irrigation system revolving fund for the operation and maintenance of the State’s irrigation systems.

SECTION 5. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.