Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1939, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for fiscal year 2002-2003 for agricultural water development.

Your Committee finds that agriculture in Hawaii is at a major crossroads. An emerging and thriving diversified agriculture sector is poised to fill the void left by a century of large sugar and pineapple plantations. The transition into diversified agriculture, however, is made more difficult by a plantation water delivery system that is in serious disrepair.

This bill addresses the problem of water infrastructure and delivery systems by providing needed funds in specific projects across the State to enhance the delivery of water to farmers. The bill also provides funds to ensure the receipt of available federal matching funds.

Your Committee has amended the bill by deleting the appropriation amounts in order to promote further discussion on this matter.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1939, 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. 1939, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.