STAND. COM. REP. NO.  61-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 1539

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1539 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WATER SUPPLY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support the farming and ranching industry in South Kohala on the island of Hawaii by appropriating funds for planning and engineering studies and designs for the construction of:

     (1)  Water source development;

(2)  Associated renewable energy sources for agricultural development and delivery; and

(3)  A reservoir to service the agricultural lands surrounding Waimea.

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, and Ponoholo Ranch Limited supported this measure.  The Department of Agriculture supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Deleting the appropriation for a planning and engineering study for the design and construction of a reservoir to service the agricultural lands surrounding Waimea; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for consistency, clarity, and style.

     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. 1539, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1539, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.

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

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair