STAND. COM. REP. NO. 433-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1710

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1710 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IRRIGATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for maintenance and improvements to the Peekauai Ditch Irrigation System located on Kauai.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Ulupono Initiative; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Local Food Coalition; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Kaua‘i Chamber; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Kekaha Agriculture Association; and thirteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that Peekauai Ditch Irrigation System, also known as the Menehune Ditch, is run by local farmers on Kauai. Funding for the Peekauai Ditch Irrigation System will support irrigation projects that supply water to diversified agricultural operations, farmers, and taro growers who depend on this irrigation system for their operations.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1710, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1710, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair