STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2676

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2295

       S.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2295, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE HAWAII ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts to assist with its staffing and operating costs while the districts develop sustainable funding mechanisms.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and the Maui County Farm Bureau.  The Department of Health and the Waiakea Soil and Water Conservation District submitted written comments on the measure.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii's sixteen soil and water conservation districts have worked in collaboration with partners and government agencies to improve the State's environment and economy through resource conservation and development projects and statewide high school programs.  Your Committee also finds that population growth and land use changes have dramatically increased the demand for assistance the districts provide in reviewing each county's grading permits and conservation plans.  Your Committee notes that a significant funding mechanism for the districts ceased at the end of 2013, and accordingly, your Committee finds that providing interim funding to enable the districts to continue operating while sustainable funding mechanisms are developed is in the public's best interest.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the amount of the appropriation to an unspecified sum;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

     (3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2295, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2295, S.D. 2.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair