STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 603
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.B. No. 1365
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 1365 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,"
beg leave to report as follows:
Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; and three individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.
Your Committees find that access to affordable and reliable irrigation water is essential for agricultural viability. This measure provides resources for preparation of an environmental impact statement to drill non-potable water wells on individual parcels at Panaewa Agricultural Park and Panaewa farm lots, enhancing irrigation water access in the region.
Your Committees have amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that the appropriation is for a Non-Potable Water Wells Pilot Program; and
(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Agriculture & Food Systems that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1365, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1365, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Agriculture & Food Systems,
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____________________________ KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair |
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____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair |
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