Report Title:

CIP; Agriculture; Infrastructure

Description:

Authorizes general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for capital improvement projects pertaining to agricultural infrastructure. (HB2776 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2776

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PERTAINING TO AGRICULTURE.

 

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

PART I

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the state agricultural water use and development plan provides an overview of all of our sources of agricultural water and sets certain standards and priorities for the State. Due to limited funding, the initial report released gave a limited overview of some of the irrigation systems. Additional funding is necessary to complete a comprehensive review of the entire state.

The purpose of this part is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds for a comprehensive state agricultural water use and development plan.

SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2006-2007 to complete the agricultural water use and development plan. This project is deemed necessary to qualify for federal aid financing or reimbursement pursuant to Public Law 106-566.

PART II

SECTION 3. The legislature finds that the agricultural water use and development plan of 2003 by the department of agriculture lists $10,050,000 in capital improvement projects for the east Kauai irrigation system.

The purpose of this part is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds for plans, design, and construction of the east Kauai irrigation system to provide a reliable source of agricultural water to the east Kauai region.

SECTION 4. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $3,505,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2006-2007 for plans, design, and construction of the east Kauai irrigation system. This project is deemed necessary to qualify for federal aid financing or reimbursement.

PART III

SECTION 5. The legislature finds that for agriculture to succeed in Hawaii, farmers must have access to affordable land and water resources. It is vital that farmers are provided the necessary infrastructure to fully maximize their production capabilities as well as compete in the global market.

The legislature also finds that the Waimea irrigation system services hundreds of acres of prime agricultural lands on the island of Hawaii. It is critical to maintain this system so that farmers can be assured that water will be available for irrigation. This system needs additional funding to maintain the system.

The purpose of this part is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds for plans, design, and construction of the Waimea irrigation system to provide a reliable source of agricultural water to the Waimea region.

SECTION 6. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $4,850,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2006-2007 for plans, design, and construction of a:

(1) Pipeline replacement $4,500,000;

(2) PRV valve $150,000;

(3) Fencing $150,000;

(4) Pump replacement $50,000,

to maintain the Waimea irrigation system. This project is deemed necessary to qualify for federal aid financing or reimbursement.

PART IV

SECTION 7. The legislature finds that the Molokai irrigation system is a key water source for the agricultural community on Molokai. The system is in need of major repairs and maintenance to ensure adequate and consistent water for farming.

The purpose of this part is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds for plans, design, and construction of the Molokai irrigation system to provide a reliable source of agricultural water to the Molokai region.

SECTION 8. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2006-2007 for plans, design, and construction of the Molokai irrigation system. This project is deemed necessary to qualify for federal aid financing or reimbursement.

PART V

SECTION 9. The purpose of this part is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds for plans, design, and construction of the Waimanalo irrigation system to provide a reliable source of agricultural water to the Waimanalo region.

SECTION 10. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2006-2007 for plans, design, and construction of the Waimanalo irrigation system. This project is deemed necessary to qualify for federal aid financing or reimbursement.

PART VI

SECTION 11. The purpose of this part is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds for plans, design, and construction of the lower Hamakua irrigation system to provide a reliable source of agricultural water to the lower Hamakua region.

SECTION 12. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $1,700,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2006-2007 for plans, design, and construction of the lower Hamakua irrigation system. This project is deemed necessary to qualify for federal aid financing or reimbursement.

PART VII

SECTION 13. The appropriations made for the capital improvement projects authorized in this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriations are made; provided that all moneys from the appropriations that are unencumbered as of June 30, 2008, shall lapse as of that date; provided further that this lapsing date shall not apply to parts I, II, III, IV, V, and VI when such appropriations have been deemed necessary to qualify for federal aid financing or reimbursement.

SECTION 14. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 15. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.