STAND. COM. REP. NO. 943

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 643

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 643 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IRRIGATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds for capital improvements to the Waiahole irrigation system.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Maui County Farm Bureau; Monsanto; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United; Local Food Coalition; and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that a reliable irrigation system is the lifeline of Hawaii's agricultural industry.  To ensure that Hawaii's crops receive a steady and dependable supply of water, sufficient funding is needed to maintain and improve Hawaii's irrigation systems.

     Your Committee recommends that if your Committee on Ways and Means chooses to pass this measure, that it consider inserting a general obligation bond issuance and appropriation amount of $8,000,000 for the purpose of making capital improvements to the Waiahole irrigation system.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 643, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair