STAND. COM. REP. NO. 632

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 783

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 783 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IRRIGATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds and appropriate funds to finance capital improvement projects for irrigation systems in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Local Food Coalition; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Molokai Irrigation System User Advisory Board; Molokai Farm Bureau; and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy.

Your Committee finds that a reliable irrigation system is essential for sustaining Hawaii's agricultural industry, ensuring farmers and ranchers have consistent access to water for food production, livestock management, and long-term sustainability. Aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance have led to inefficiencies, water loss, and increased costs for agricultural producers. By authorizing funding for irrigation system improvements, this measure supports food security, economic stability, and the State's goal of increasing agricultural self-sufficiency.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting unspecified allocation amounts for specific irrigation system improvements throughout the State;

(2) Converting the means of financing from the Irrigation System Revolving Fund to the general fund for certain positions in the Department of Agriculture;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $2,400,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $4,100,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for Waimea irrigation system improvements; $15,000,000 for Waiahole irrigation system improvements; $12,000,000 for Molokai irrigation system improvements; $20,000,000 for East Maui irrigation system improvements; $8,000,000 for Kohala ditch system improvements; $18,000,000 for Upcountry Maui irrigation system improvements; $12,000,000 for East Kauai irrigation system improvements; $9,000,000 for Kokee irrigation system improvements; $14,000,000 for Kekaha irrigation system improvements; $15,000,000 for Wahiawa irrigation system improvements; and $800,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for agricultural infrastructure improvements statewide.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 783, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 783, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair