HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1365
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that access to affordable and reliable irrigation water is essential for sustainable agricultural viability. In the county of Hawaii, farmers incur great expense to pay for potable water from the county during the drier months of the year. Increasing the availability of non-potable water wells for agricultural uses would conserve the potable water supply for other purposes.

The purpose of this Act is to enhance irrigation water access by appropriating funds to the department of agriculture for 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.

SECTION 2. The department of agriculture shall consult and coordinate with the department of Hawaiian home lands on the location and distribution of water from the non-potable water wells before and after the completion of the environmental impact statement or environmental assessment to drill non-potable water wells on individual parcels at Panaewa agricultural park and Panaewa farm lots pursuant to this Act.

SECTION 3. Any non-potable water well or improvement on individual parcels at Panaewa agricultural park and Panaewa farm lots that is completed according to the environmental impact statement or environmental assessment under this Act shall revert back to the State upon the lease expiration date.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for a non-potable water wells pilot program to prepare an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment for the drilling of non-potable water wells on individual parcels at Panaewa agricultural park and Panaewa farm lots.

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

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DOA; Panaewa Agricultural Park; Panaewa Farm Lots; Environmental Impact Statement; Environmental Assessment; Non-Potable Water Wells Pilot Program; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for a Non-Potable Water Wells Pilot Program to prepare an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment to drill non-potable water wells on individual parcels at Panaewa Agricultural Park and Panaewa farm lots. Requires the Department of Agriculture to consult and coordinate with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on the location and distribution of water from non-potable water wells before and after the completion of an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment to drill non-potable water wells on individual parcels at Panaewa Agricultural Park and Panaewa farm lots. Requires any non-potable water well or improvement on individual parcels at Panaewa Agricultural Park and Panaewa farm lots to revert to the State upon termination of upon the expiration date of the lease. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

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