STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1534

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1365

H.D. 2

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1365, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to enhance access to non-potable irrigation water.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes a non-potable water wells pilot program to prepare an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment for the drilling of non-potable water wells in Panaewa, Hawaii;

(2) Requires the Department of Agriculture to consult with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on the location and distribution of water from non-potable water wells before and after the environmental study;

(3) Provides for the reversion to the State of any non-potable water well or improvement completed according to the environmental impact statement or assessment at the lease expiration date; and

(4) Appropriates moneys to the Department of Agriculture for the pilot program.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that access to affordable and reliable irrigation water is essential to support sustainable agriculture in the State. Your Committee further finds that increasing the availability of non-potable water for agricultural uses will help conserve the potable water supply

Your Committee has amended this measure by removing the appropriation for fiscal year 2026-2027, as the expenses of the pilot program established by this measure are not intended to be recurring costs.

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. 1365, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1365, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair