STAND. COM. REP. NO. 446-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 2394

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2394 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IRRIGATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure that agricultural crops have a dependable supply of water by authorizing the issuance of an unspecified amount of general obligation bonds for capital improvements to irrigation systems in the State.

The Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, and Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii supported this bill.  The Department of Agriculture supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Budget and Finance commented on this bill.

     Should the Committee on Finance deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that the general obligation bond authorization be for the amount of $11,000,000 with revenues allocated as follows:

     (1)  $1,000,000 for the Black Pipe Siphon Rehabilitation Project in Kekaha, Kauai;

     (2)  $5,000,000 for capital improvements to the Waiahole Water System; and

           (3)  $5,000,000 for capital improvements to irrigation system support facilities and continued improvements.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2394 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JESSICA WOOLEY, Chair