SB845

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	845
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEMS.

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

PART I

SECTION 1. In October 2006, an earthquake devastated the island of Hawaii, causing major infrastructure damage to the intakes leading to the Lower Hamakua irrigation ditch system and Waimea irrigation ditch system.

The Lower Hamakua irrigation ditch system intakes were closed and little or no water was coming into the system. The Waimea irrigation ditch system was also closed, but measures were put in place to allow water to be pumped from a well into the reservoir. While such measures worked fairly well, they were only temporary fixes, and farmers in these areas remain concerned about the reliability and availability of irrigation water. Funding is urgently needed to return both systems to full capacity.

A reliable irrigation system is the lifeline of Hawaii’s agricultural industry. The purpose of this part is to appropriate funds for the repair and maintenance of both the Lower Hamakua irrigation ditch system and Waimea irrigation ditch system on the island of Hawaii.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 for the repair and maintenance of the Lower Hamakua irrigation ditch system on the island of Hawaii.

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

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 for the repair and maintenance of the Waimea irrigation ditch system on the island of Hawaii.

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

PART II

SECTION 4. To provide relief in light of the damage done to irrigation systems on the island of Hawaii after the 2006 earthquake, the department of agriculture has been using funds from the irrigation system revolving fund to pay for expenses, including the costs of hiring personnel for earthquake damage assessment, contractors, pumping, and materials, supplies, and equipment. Therefore, additional moneys are needed to reimburse the irrigation system revolving fund.

The purpose of this part is to appropriate general funds to be deposited into the department of agriculture's irrigation system revolving fund to reimburse the fund.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 to be deposited into the irrigation system revolving fund to reimburse the fund for expenses incurred due to damage done to irrigation systems on the island of Hawaii in the aftermath of the 2006 earthquake.

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

PART III

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________