STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3065

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2101

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2101, H.D. 1, 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 make an appropriation to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the operational expenses and staffing costs of the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts; O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Hawaii Farmers Union United, Kona Chapter; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Local Food Coalition; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Ag Matters, LLC; Sierra Club of Hawai‘i; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaii Coffee Association; Kau Valley Farms; Birds With Arms Farms; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; and thirty individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts is composed of sixteen districts representing every community on all major islands of Hawaii. Existing law authorizes the Soil and Water Conservation Districts to operate as government subdivisions to educate the public and construct and maintain conservation projects and programs in Hawaii. Soil and Water Conservation Districts have worked to improve Hawaii's environment and economy through collaborative efforts with partners and government agencies that 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. The Soil and Water Conservation Districts also provide educational and community support for conservation awareness. The Districts participate in resource conservation and development projects and statewide high school programs and also introduce conservation principles in elementary schools. However, the Soil and Water Conservation Districts do not have a base budget appropriation under the Department of Land and Natural Resources' budget. Therefore, this measure provides the necessary funding for the Soil and Water Conservation Districts to continue their important activities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an appropriation amount of $450,000 for the operational expenses and staffing costs of the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2018; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes 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. 2101, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2101, 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