HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

180

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO SEEK FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE IRRIGATION REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE SPECIAL FUND.

 

 

WHEREAS, the Legislature is in the process of establishing the Irrigation Repair and Maintenance Special Fund (Special Fund) to be administered by the Board of Agriculture (BOA), in conjunction with the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC); and

WHEREAS, one of the primary functions of BOA is to oversee the development and maintenance of irrigation systems for agricultural purposes; and

WHEREAS, one of the primary purposes of ADC is to facilitate the transition of agricultural infrastructure from plantation operations into other agricultural enterprises; and

WHEREAS, many of the irrigation systems used and maintained for agricultural production have fallen into disrepair for lack of proper maintenance; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the Special Fund is to provide for repair and maintenance of private and public irrigation systems used for agricultural production; and

WHEREAS, private landowners may apply for funding assistance from the Special Fund, provided that the landowner:

(1) Provides matching funds equal to the amount received from the Special Fund;

(2) Agrees to file for designation of the majority of all lands served by the water produced by the irrigation system as important agricultural lands pursuant to Chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

(3) Agrees to use the majority of all lands serviced by the irrigation system for agricultural production;

and

WHEREAS, the Legislature is in the process of appropriating general funds and authorizing the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds to fund the Special Fund; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that the BOA and ADC are requested to aggressively seek federal matching funds for funds that the State will deposit into the Special Fund to repair and maintain irrigation systems that support agricultural production; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation, and to each member of Hawaii's Congressional delegation.

 

 

Report Title:

Irrigation Repair and Maintenance Special Fund; Federal Funding