STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1558

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   S.B. No. 14

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 14, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to enhance public safety and address needed infrastructure improvements by:

     (1)  Expanding the authorized uses of the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund (Special Fund) to include dams and reservoirs, and specifying that authorized uses include investigative studies to identify and assess necessary improvements to dams, reservoirs, irrigation systems, transportation networks, and water quality testing and improvement; and

     (2)  Authorizing the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds in an unspecified amount and depositing its revenues into the Special Fund for plans, design, construction, and other related costs for dam, reservoir, or irrigation system improvements.

     The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.; Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company; Kauai Coffee Company; Grove Farm Company, Inc.; Monsanto Hawaii; Dole Food Company Hawaii; and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council supported this bill.  The Department of Agriculture offered comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 14, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair