STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1064-10

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2010

RE:   H.R. No. 119

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Water, Land, & Ocean Resources, to which was referred H.R. No. 119 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE LEGISLATURE CONVENE AN INVESTIGATORY PUBLIC HEARING TO EVALUATE THE BIOSECURITY PROGRAM BY EXAMINING STATE AND COUNTY POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT AFFECT THE AVAILABILITY OF WATER FOR AGRICULTURE AND MAINTENANCE OF AGRICULTURAL IRRIGATION SYSTEMS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to request the Legislature to convene an investigatory public hearing to:

     (1)  Investigate policies and practices of various state and county agencies' permitting, approvals, and decisions that affect the availability of water for agriculture and maintenance of agricultural irrigation systems; and

     (2)  Identify any statutory or other amendments that may be necessary to promote and meet the objectives of the biosecurity program.

     Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Council of Mayors, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, ILWU Local 142, Kauai Taro Growers Association, Kauai County Farm Bureau, Hui O Ka Ike, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, and a multitude of concerned individuals testified in support of this resolution.  Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii and Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation supported the intent of this measure.  Concerned individuals opposed this resolution.  The Department of Agriculture provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this resolution by including the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the mayors of each county as part of the investigatory hearing.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Water, Land, & Ocean Resources that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 119, as amended herein, and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Finance, in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 119, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Water, Land, & Ocean Resources,

____________________________ KEN ITO, Chair

____________________________ CLIFT TSUJI, Chair