STAND. COM. REP. NO. 160

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 563

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 563 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WATER INFRASTRUCTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Agriculture to:

(1) In collaboration with the Agribusiness Development Corporation and the counties, conduct a statewide agricultural water infrastructure study;

(2) Submit a report to the Legislature; and

(3) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, and three individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that water infrastructure is critical to overall food production in the State and therefore must be accurately categorized, maintained, and effectively managed. Your Committee recognizes that the regulation and monitoring of various water infrastructure in the State is overseen by several agencies with differing and complementary priorities and objectives, which contributes to the lack of a complete inventory and comprehensive data system to track the condition and maintenance needs of the water infrastructure in the State. Your Committee further recognizes that water maintenance and development have high capital costs and risks. The study required by this measure will help the State efficiently and effectively manage its water resources and provide water services.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 563, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 563, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair