STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3621

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2101

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2101, H.D. 1, S.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 appropriate moneys 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 written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, UpCountry Doctor, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Pulama Lanai, Local Food Coalition, K&R Enterprises, Hawaii Cattlemens Council, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts, the Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai`i, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Central Maui Soil and Water Conservation District, Sanctuary of Mana Ke`a Gardens, Ulupalakua Ranch, Hawaii Coffee Association, Molokai Lanai Soil Water Conservation District, and twenty-four concerned individuals.

Your Committee finds that supporting the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts will help protect Hawaii's economy and environment by improving farming practices, reducing erosion, conserving water and improving water quality, and fighting invasive species.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation from $450,000 to an unspecified amount; and

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, 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 H.B. No. 2101, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2101, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair