SB1941

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1941
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

making an appropriation for irrigation systems and relating to capital improvement projects for the benefit of the state.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. A reliable irrigation system is the lifeblood of Hawaii's agricultural industry. To ensure that Hawaii's crops receive a steady and dependable supply of water, sufficient funding is needed to maintain and improve Hawaii's irrigation systems.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Reauthorize funds approved last year for the repair and maintenance of irrigation systems throughout the State; and

(2) Appropriate funds for capital improvement projects for irrigation systems throughout the State.

SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $11,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, shall be deposited into the irrigation repair and maintenance special fund for the repair and maintenance of irrigation systems as follows:

(1) $1,500,000 for the East Kauai irrigation system;

(2) $2,000,000 for the Waimanalo irrigation system;

(3) $2,500,000 for the Molokai irrigation system;

(4) $1,500,000 for the Upcountry Maui irrigation system;

(5) $1,000,000 for the Kau irrigation system;

(6) $1,000,000 for the Honomalino irrigation system;

(7) $1,500,000 for the Wahiawa reservoir and ditch system; and

(8) Other privately-owned irrigation systems on former sugarcane and pineapple plantation lands that have been converted to diversified agriculture.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated, for projects under section 2 of this Act, out of the irrigation repair and maintenance special fund under section 167-24, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the sum of $11,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008. The projects are deemed necessary to qualify for federal aid financing or reimbursement.

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

SECTION 4. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $7,036,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for fiscal year 2007-2008, for the repair and maintenance of irrigation systems as follows:

(1) $2,336,000 for the East Kauai irrigation system;

(2) $500,000 for the Waimanalo irrigation system;

(3) $2,500,000 for the Molokai irrigation system; and

(4) $1,700,000 for the Lower Hamakua irrigation system.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated, for projects under section 4 of this Act, out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii, the sum of $7,036,0000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008. The projects are deemed necessary to qualify for federal aid financing or reimbursement.

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

SECTION 6. The appropriation made for the capital improvement projects authorized in this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriations are made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2010, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 7. The sums appropriated for the respective capital projects set forth in section 3 shall be expended by the department of agriculture for purposes of this Act.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________