Report Title:

Agricultural Water Security

 

Description:

Establishes measures for preserving the security of the State's agricultural water supply in the event of an emergency.  Creates the agricultural water security revolving fund to be administered by the department of land and natural resources.  Makes appropriation.  Effective 7/1/08.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2965

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to Agricultural water security.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  In accordance with the strategic plan developed by the United States Department of Agriculture, the legislature finds that agricultural water security is essential to maintain public health and well-being, cultivate food, fiber, and energy crops in the future, and enhance rural recreation and community aesthetics.  Funds for sustaining and expanding surface water irrigation systems and reservoir storage are essential investments for Hawaii's sustainable agricultural security.

     The legislature further finds that water availability and security for agriculture are inseparable from the costs of energy.  With the exception of gravity-fed plantation era irrigation systems, water for most agricultural enterprises in Hawaii entails the costs of transmission, fuel, pumping, storage, hauling, and field application.

     The legislature further finds that reservoirs critical to agricultural production are threatened with decommission due to the costs of maintenance.  Further upgrades for public safety require a public funding stream to achieve standards of safety, sustainability, and continued service to farmers and ranchers in Hawaii.

     The purpose of this Act is to ensure and enhance the security of the water supply for agriculture in the State.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 167, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§167-    Agricultural water security; electrical power; emergencies.  (a)  When electrical power is available from independent power producers and private cogeneration facilities in excess of utility transmission capacity or the utility contract obligations of independent power producers, electrical power may be diverted to public and private agricultural water systems for irrigation of agricultural lands; provided that electricity shall be provided at or below existing avoided cost contract power purchase agreements between electric utilities and independent power producers and cogeneration facilities.

     (b)  In the event of an emergency declared by the governor, electric power, to the fullest extent possible, shall be diverted directly to agricultural pumping facilities for the purpose of maintaining agricultural water security."

     SECTION 3.  Chapter 174C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§174C-    Agricultural water security revolving fund.  (a)  There is established the agricultural water security revolving fund into which shall be deposited all money appropriated to the fund by the legislature.

     (b)  The agricultural water security revolving fund shall be administered by the department of land and natural resources.  Moneys in the revolving fund shall be expended for projects that enhance and ensure the security of the water supply and irrigation systems for agriculture in the State, including:

     (1)  Maintenance and upgrade of water wells, reservoirs, dams, water storage facilities, water pipelines, ditches, and irrigation systems not operated by the department of agriculture or agribusiness development corporation;

     (2)  Administrative costs, engineering surveys, economic studies, plans, and maps; and

     (3)  Other agricultural water security projects or purposes of the board of land and natural resources.

     (c)  The state drought coordinator and county drought committees shall make an annual assessment of the State's agricultural water security needs and shall submit funding recommendations to the board of land and natural resources; provided that priority for investments in the maintenance and upgrade of facilities that promote agricultural water security shall be given to agricultural enterprises located on important agricultural lands as defined in chapter 205."

     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 2008-2009 for deposit into the agricultural water security revolving fund.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the agricultural water security revolving fund the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the purposes of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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