STAND. COM. REP. NO.  573-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 2179

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2179, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOWER HAMAKUA DITCH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support diversified agricultural production to achieve the State's goal of food for sustainability and self-sufficiency by establishing for five years a cap on the toll charge for water provided to water users by the Lower Hamakua Ditch irrigation system.  

Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattleman's Council testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Agriculture commented on this measure.

     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 H.B. No. 2179, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair