HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1483

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 2

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE MOLOKAI IRRIGATION SYSTEM.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that construction on the Molokai irrigation system was started in 1957 to provide water to the central farming areas of Molokai as part of a federal and state commitment to native Hawaiian homesteaders, consistent with the objectives of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended, to enable native Hawaiians to return to their lands and promote self-sufficiency.  The provision of adequate amounts of water at a reasonable rate for agricultural operations on Hawaiian home lands remains central to this policy.

     The legislature further finds that the high cost of water delivery is causing a hardship on Hawaiian homestead farmers, making it difficult for some lessees to pay their water bills.  In the past, the department of agriculture offered a discounted rate to Molokai irrigation system water users.  However, this discounted rate was eliminated in 2009 due to a significant drop in water consumption and consequent reduction in revenues. 

     The purpose of this Act is to carry out the objectives of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended, by:

     (1)  Requiring the department of agriculture to provide water at a reduced rate to Molokai irrigation system water users who lease tracts of Hawaiian home lands under section 207 of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended;

     (2)  Forgiving loans that were previously incurred by Molokai homesteaders; and

     (3)  Appropriating funds to cover the operational costs of the Molokai irrigation system.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of agriculture shall provide water to Molokai irrigation system users who lease tracts of Hawaiian home lands under section 207 of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended, at a reduced rate of at least       per cent but not more than       per cent of the standard rate from July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2013.

     (b)  The department of agriculture may forgive all amounts owed by any lessee of Hawaiian home lands on Molokai for the provision of irrigation water from the Molokai irrigation system that are past due as of the effective date of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  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 2011-2012 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 to cover the operational costs of the Molokai irrigation system.

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

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2030.

 



 

Report Title:

Molokai Irrigation System; Homestead Lessees; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the department of agriculture to provide water at a reduced rate to Molokai irrigation system users who lease tracts of land under section 207 of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended.  Authorizes the department of agriculture to forgive past due amounts owed by Molokai homestead farmers for irrigation water.  Appropriates funds to cover the operational costs of the Molokai irrigation system.  Effective 7/1/2030.  (SD2)

 

 

 

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