THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	179
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to irrigation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. (a) The portions of the east Kauai irrigation system operated and maintained by the east Kauai water users' cooperative as of July 1, 2021, shall be placed under the operational authority of the department of agriculture until the adoption of rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is completed or until a determination is made that the system can be appropriately operated and maintained pursuant to chapters 167 and 168, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

(b) Until the system is transferred to the appropriate program, acreage assessment and water delivery fees shall not be governed by chapter 167 or 168, Hawaii Revised Statutes. The department of agriculture may contract with the east Kauai water users' cooperative to bill and collect any fees and to enter into any contracts necessary to operate and maintain the system while positions are filled.

(c) The department of agriculture shall deposit all fees collected by the east Kauai water users' cooperative into the State's general fund.

(d) The three-year water licensing deadline may be extended for up to two years; provided that the applicant demonstrates significant progress in the permit application process.

SECTION 2. All appropriations, records, equipment, machines, files, supplies, contracts, books, papers, documents, maps, and other property heretofore made, used, acquired, or held by the east Kauai water users' cooperative relating to the functions transferred to the department of agriculture shall be transferred with the functions to which they relate and listed and described in a full accounting to the department.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2021-2022 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the operations and maintenance of the east Kauai irrigation system.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Department of Agriculture; East Kauai Irrigation System; Transfer of Operational Authority; Appropriation

Description:

Transfers operational authority over portions of the east Kauai irrigation system operated and maintained by the east Kauai water users' cooperative as of 7/1/21, to the Department of Agriculture. Appropriates funds.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.