STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2372
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 2294
S.D. 1
Honorable Donna Mercado Kim
President of the Senate
Twenty-Seventh State Legislature
Regular Session of 2014
State of Hawaii
Madam:
Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 2294 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IRRIGATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to issue general obligation bonds and appropriate funds for the purpose of making capital improvements to irrigation systems in the State.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaii Farmers Union United; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and one individual.
Your Committee finds that many irrigation systems throughout the State are antiquated and have deteriorated over time. Farmers and ranchers depend on these irrigation systems for their operations. For a sustainable agricultural industry, it is imperative that farmers have a reliable source of water.
Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying that that the funding provided by this measure is not only for making capital improvements to irrigation systems, but also for making capital improvements to associated agricultural management facilities, and making a conforming amendment to the purpose section.
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 S.B. No. 2294, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2294, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,
|
|
|
____________________________ CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair |
|
|
|
|