STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1163

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.C.R. No. 122

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Water and Land, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 122 entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO IMPLEMENT A SCHEDULE OF REDUCED IRRIGATION WATER TOLL RATES AND CHARGES FOR THE ISLAND OF HAWAII THAT DIFFERENTIATES AMONG DIFFERENT IRRIGATION SYSTEM AREAS AND AGRICULTURAL USERS TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF HAWAII-GROWN AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES THROUGH INCREASED USE OF IRRIGATION WATER,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Agriculture to implement a schedule of reduced irrigation water toll rates and charges for agricultural enterprises on the island of Hawaii that differentiates among different irrigation system areas to increase the use of irrigation water to promote the development and expansion of Hawaii-grown agricultural commodities.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from 4 Ag Hawaii; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association; Ulupono Initiative; Kukaiau Ranch LLC; Ponoholo Ranch, Ltd.; Ulupalakua Ranch; Barbed S Ranch LLC; Kahua Ranch, Ltd.; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; and four individuals.

 

     Your Committees find that expanding local agricultural production is vital to the State's economic and sustainable future.  Differentiating water rates on the island of Hawaii will result in reduced irrigation water toll rates and charges and promote increased agricultural, livestock, and poultry production.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying that the Department of Agriculture is requested to implement a schedule of reduced irrigation water toll rates and charges for the Hamakua District, in addition to the island of Hawaii;

 

     (2)  Amending the title accordingly; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency. 

 

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 122, as amended herein, and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 122, S.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Water and Land,

 

____________________________

MALAMA SOLOMON, Chair

 

____________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair