STAND. COM. REP. NO. 802

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 808

       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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 808 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys for the operational expenses and staffing costs of the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Association of Conversation Districts, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc., Ponoholo Ranch Limited, Local Food Coalition, Maui County Farm Bureau, Larry Jefts Farms, LLC, Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association, Kauai County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Fish Company, and eighteen individuals.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Hawaii Government Employees Association.

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts comprises sixteen districts representing every community on all major islands of Hawaii.  Water and soil conservation districts are responsible for a variety of environmental protection and education efforts across the State.  Additionally, water and soil conservation districts assist with reviewing each county's grading permits and conservation plans.

Your Committee further finds that the funding shortages and high volume of work faced by the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts result in negative impacts to the State's agriculture and environment.  Your Committee believes that the appropriation in this measure will help ensure that the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts is able to keep pace with the critical demand for its services.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Changing the appropriation for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, respectively, from $450,000 to an unspecified amount; and

(2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2099, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

     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. 808, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 808, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair