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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
3 |
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TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE public utilities commission TO STUDY THE rate structures of private entities that furnish water used for agricultural purposes.
WHEREAS, a viable water source is the most important and critical component for the agricultural industry to irrigate and produce crops, and feed and maintain livestock; and
WHEREAS, although the Department of Agriculture maintains several irrigation systems statewide, agricultural producers may also rely on privately-owned water sources to maintain their livelihood; and
WHEREAS, the rate structures and fees for the use of water from privately-owned water sources for agricultural purposes in an area zoned for agricultural use may differ among each privately-owned water source, and the rates and fees charged may not correspond with the rates and fees charged for residential users; and
WHEREAS, establishing a uniform rate and fee structure that is comparable to the water rate structure used by the board of water supply of each respective county will allow farmers to continue to maintain agricultural production in Hawaii; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Public Utilities Commission is requested to study the rate and fee structures of private entities statewide that furnish water used for agricultural purposes in areas zoned for agricultural use; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Public Utilities Commission shall:
(1) Perform an inventory of all privately-owned water systems statewide that are used for agricultural purposes;
(2) Examine the water rate structures established by the local county board of water supply;
(3) Examine and distinguish between the rate and fee structures for privately-owned water systems used for agricultural purposes and for residential purposes;
(4) Determine the factors that distinguish the water rate for agricultural purposes and for residential purposes; and
(5) Seek input, collaboration, and guidance from the Department of Agriculture, the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii, the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and each county board of water supply; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Public Utilities Commission is requested to report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission; the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture; the Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii; the President of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; the Manager of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply; the Department Head of the Department of Water Supply, County of Hawaii; the Director of the Department of Water Supply, County of Maui; and the Manager of the Department of Water, County of Kauai.
Water Rates; Study; Public Utilities Commission