STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2810

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2983

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2983, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS FOR UKUMEHAME RESERVOIRS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist West Maui Investors, LLC, for permits, testing, construction, and post-construction management for Ukumehame reservoirs numbers two and three.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and the Department of the Attorney General.

     Your Committee finds that this measure will assist the dam and reservoir owners by providing an economic means to upgrade their facilities to current safety standards.  Your Committee further finds that the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to West Maui Investors, LLC, is in the public interest and for the public health, safety, and general welfare.

     Your Committee notes that the Department of the Attorney General raised concerns regarding the title of this measure and the Kehalani offsite retention basin.  Specifically, the department is concerned that, as written, the bill does not make clear the relationship between the Ukumehame reservoirs and the Kehalani basin.  As this measure continues forward, proponents of the measure should address this issue and recommend clarifying amendments.

     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. 2983, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair