STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1011

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 630

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 630, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DROUGHT MITIGATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for:

     (1)  Drought mitigation projects and measures in each county; and

     (2)  The establishment of one full-time equivalent permanent planner IV position within the Commission on Water Resource Management to update the Hawaii Drought Plan.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i; Board of Water Supply of the City and County of Honolulu; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; One World One Water, LLC; Ulupono Initiative; and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee finds that drought conditions can cause widespread and significant damage in the State, including loss of crops and livestock, irreparable harm to plants and wildlife, increased risk of wildfires, and the potential to leave thousands of state residents without the adequate water supply for daily living needs.  Your Committee finds it is imperative to continue to fund drought mitigation efforts at the county level and update the Hawaii Drought Plan to enable the State to successfully endure anticipated future drought conditions.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting an effective date of March 15, 2099, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purpose of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 630, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 630, H.D. 1, 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 and Land,

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair