Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2179, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish an irrigation repair and maintenance special fund and an irrigation repair and maintenance special fund tax credit.

The measure also authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to be deposited into the irrigation repair and maintenance special fund, makes an appropriation for the repair and maintenance of various irrigation systems across the State, and makes an appropriation to the Board of Agriculture for the operations, management, and administrative costs incurred with carrying out the provisions of this measure.

Your Committee finds that farmers across the State depend on various irrigation systems for water to irrigate their crops. The survival of the agricultural industry in Hawaii is dependent on sound, dependable, and functional irrigation systems.

This measure provides the financial means to ensure the proper operation and maintenance of state irrigation systems.

Your Committee has amended the measure by:

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. 2179, 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. 2179, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.