STAND. COM. REP. NO.  890

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

 

RE:   H.B. No. 414

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 414, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WAIPIO VALLEY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Establish a Waipio Valley Commission (Commission) to advise the Department of Land and Natural Resources on the development of a long-term plan to ensure the proper stewardship and maintenance of Waipio Valley on the island of Hawaii; and

 

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a flood study and propose flood mitigation methods for the Valley.

 

     The Taro Security and Purity Task Force and one concerned individual testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted comments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Including preservation for future generations as part of the long-term plan for Waipio Valley;

 

     (2)  Providing that the Chairperson of the Commission shall be elected by its members, rather than the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources serving as the Chairperson of the Commission;

 

     (3)  Providing that the person who shall invite representatives from stakeholder organizations and groups to participate as members of the Commission shall be the Governor instead of the Chairperson of the Commission;

 

     (4)  Changing and expanding the list of stakeholder organizations and groups to be represented on the Commission;

 

     (5)  Providing that the Commission may invite resource personnel to assist with its work including specified federal, state, and county agencies;

 

     (6)  Removing provisions requiring that the Department of Land and Natural Resources conduct a flood study for Waipio Valley and appropriating an unspecified amount for the flood study;

 

     (7)  Appropriating funds for the design and construction of flood damage reduction and stream stabilization measures in Waipio Valley as referenced in the Waipio Valley Flood Damage Reduction and Stream Stabilization Preliminary Investigative report released in January 2012 by the Mauna Kea Soil and Water Conservation District; and

 

     (8)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 414, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 414, H.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair