STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2164

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2377

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Transportation and Energy, to which was referred S.B. No. 2377 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

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

     (1)  Water source development;

     (2)  Renewable energy sources for agricultural development and delivery; and

     (3)  A reservoir to service the agricultural lands surrounding Waimea on the island of Hawaii.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and one individual.

     Your Committees find that the development of non-potable water resources for farms and ranches in South Kohala on the island of Hawaii is critically necessary to meet the demand for food self-sufficiency, address food security, expand the agricultural economy, and address drought migration.  Your Committees further find that a regional agriculture water development plan will identify the storage and distribution improvements necessary to increase capacity, which will lead to increases in diversified agriculture, the establishment of new and larger crop fields for produce and livestock feed, and new opportunities to assist the economy in the region and throughout the State.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Transportation and Energy that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2377 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Transportation and Energy,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair