STAND. COM. REP. NO.  570-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2054

      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 Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2054 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INFRASTRUCTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure and enhance the continued availability and operation of dams and reservoirs in the State by establishing a Dam and Reservoir Working Group.

The Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; MauiGrown Coffee, Inc.; Maui County Farm Bureau; Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.; Land Use Research Foundation; and some individuals provided testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources testified in opposition.  The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding examination of the role of dams and reservoirs in drought mitigation to the working group's duties;

     (2)  Adding an appropriation to fund the working group;

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2054, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2054, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair