CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 157

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2017

RE:    S.B. No. 808

       S.D. 1

       H.D. 1

       C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 808, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate an unspecified amount of funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the operational expenses and staffing costs of the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts.

     Your Committee on Conference finds that the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts, through the Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), assists government agencies in identifying and implementing culturally sensitive projects and practices to ensure the protection of Hawaii's environment.  Your Committee on Conference also finds that the SWCDs bring significant financial resources to Hawaii to improve farm practices, reduce erosion, improve water quality, fight invasive species, improve public safety, protect property, conserve water, and strengthen the economy, and also provide education and community support for conservation awareness, and assist each county in reviewing county grading permits and conservation plans.  Your Committee on Conference further finds that the SWCD Program does not have a base budget appropriation, and funding is required in order for the SWCDs to continue their activities, which undoubtedly benefit the people of Hawaii.

     Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Updating its purpose section;

     (2)  Inserting an appropriation amount of $450,000 and appropriating funds for fiscal year 2017-2018 only;

     (3)  Changing the source of funds from the general fund to the special land and development fund;

     (4)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2017; and

     (5)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 808, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 808, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ RYAN I. YAMANE Co-Chair	____________________________ KARL RHOADS Chair
____________________________ TY J.K. CULLEN Co-Chair	____________________________ LAURA H. THIELEN Co-Chair
	____________________________ MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO Co-Chair