STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1496

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 85

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.R. No. 85, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO IMPLEMENT A SCHEDULE OF REDUCED IRRIGATION WATER TOLL RATES AND CHARGES FOR THE ISLAND OF HAWAII AND HAMAKUA DISTRICT THAT DIFFERENTIATES AMONG DIFFERENT IRRIGATION SYSTEM AREAS AND AGRICULTURAL USERS TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF HAWAII-GROWN AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES THROUGH INCREASED USE OF IRRIGATION WATER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to promote the development and expansion of Hawaii-grown agricultural commodities through increased use of irrigation water.

Specifically, this measure requests the Department of Agriculture to implement a schedule of reduced irrigation water toll rates and charges for the island of Hawaii and Hamakua district that differentiates among different irrigation system areas and agricultural users for the growing of agricultural crops and the production of livestock and poultry.  The measure also requests the Department of Agriculture to report to the Legislature on the implementation of a system of reduced toll rates for the island of Hawaii and Hamakua district no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2014.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council and the Ulupono Initiative.

     Your Committee finds that the current water toll rates and charges do not take into account the levels and amounts of water that would be appropriate for the various irrigation systems on the island of Hawaii to promote increased agricultural, livestock, and poultry production, and do not make allowances for the different classes of users who use different amounts of water for agricultural production.  Your Committee believes reduced and differentiated rates for water use on Hawaii island and the Hamakua district would assist in the growth and development of the local agricultural industry and result in more efficient use of water.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 85, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair