STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2171

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2990

       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 Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 2990 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 monies to the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts to assist with its staffing and operating costs while providing time for the districts to develop sustainable funding mechanisms.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts; Central Maui Soil and Water Conservation District; South Oahu Soil and Water Conservation District; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Maui County Farm Bureau; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; and eighteen individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Hana Soil and Water Conservation District.

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts assists government agencies in identifying and implementing culturally sensitive projects and practices to ensure the protection of Hawaii's environment.  These efforts have brought millions of dollars to Hawaii to improve farm practices, reduce erosion, improve ocean and drinking water quality, fight invasive species, improve public safety, protect property, conserve water, and strengthen the economy.  Your Committee further finds that county grading permit reviews and conservation plans are critical to preserve the environment, stimulate the economy, and maintain individual livelihoods; however, as increased demand and accompanying workload for this service and others have caused conservation districts to struggle to keep pace with the demand, increased resources are needed.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an appropriation amount of $100,000.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2990, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2990, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair