HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	281
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
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 requires a steady, reliable supply of water.  However, drought conditions continue to adversely affect Hawaii's farms and ranches, hampering the State's ability to produce quality products on a consistent basis throughout the year.

     The legislature believes that to address the harmful impact of droughts, mitigation measures must be implemented.  At the state level, the Hawaii drought plan is aimed at developing coordinated emergency response mechanisms while at the same time outlining short-term and long-term steps toward mitigating the impact of drought occurrences.  In 2004, county drought committees were formed in each of the four counties.  The purpose of these committees is to develop drought mitigation strategies that address the local needs and concerns of each county which are then incorporated by reference into the Hawaii drought plan.
     The legislature further finds that to implement the Hawaii drought plan adequately, sufficient funding to the counties is necessary to address the many challenges that Hawaii's agriculture industry faces in preparing for droughts.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide funding to pursue drought mitigation projects and measures in each county of the State.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $4,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof for fiscal year 2014-2015 for a grant-in-aid to the counties for agricultural drought mitigation plans, measures, and projects, to be allocated as follows:

     County of Hawaii                      $

     County of Kauai                       $

     County of Maui                        $

     City and county of Honolulu           $

     Total                                 $4,000,000

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the appropriate agency of each of the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and the city and county of Honolulu; provided that each county shall coordinate its drought mitigation activities with the department of land and natural resources.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Drought Mitigation; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the counties for drought mitigation purposes.

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