Report Title:

Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts; Revolving Fund

 

Description:

Establishes a soil and water conservation districts revolving fund for contributions and moneys received by the soil and conservation districts and authorizes use of fund moneys by the districts for administrative purposes, operating costs, and special projects.

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

493

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to agriculture.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that a viable agriculture industry in Hawaii requires the support and commitment of state government.  The legislature continues to support the work of the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts. 

     The Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts is an association of sixteen local soil and water conservation districts in Hawaii: two on Kauai; three on Oahu; one for Molokai and Lanai; four on Maui; and six on the Big Island.  The association pools district experience and knowledge to develop policies, provide technical and educational resources to agricultural land users, and encourage use of best management practices to mitigate soil erosion and water pollution.

     While the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts has been tasked to do many soil and water conservation plans, it does not have the staffing or resources to implement these tasks in a timely fashion.  The directors of the board are voluntary and many directors donate their personal money to help cover expenses.  Each of the districts receives minimal funding annually to cover expenses for administering the duties of the volunteer directors.  These funds cover business expenses, travel, and other costs.  Any funds not expended by each district are required to be returned to the state general fund at the end of the year.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a revolving fund where those funds can be deposited for the purposes deemed necessary by the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts.

     SECTION 2.  Section 180-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§180-16  Budget[.]; Soil and water conservation districts revolving fund.  (a)  The department of land and natural resources shall submit to the director of finance, annually the budgetary estimates and information required by chapter 37, and shall include therein estimates of the financial requirements of the department.  All contributions, moneys, and funds received by any district shall be deposited to the credit of [the state general fund.] the soil and water conservation districts revolving fund.

     (b)  There is established in the state treasury the soil and water conservation districts revolving fund, into which shall be deposited all revenues from contributions, moneys, and funds received by any district.

     (c)  Moneys in the soil and water conservation districts revolving fund shall be used for administrative purposes, operating costs, and special projects as deemed necessary by the department of land and natural resources."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2009.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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