STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1359

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 1263

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1263, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IRRIGATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to protect Hawaii's agricultural crops by providing funding to maintain and improve various irrigation systems.

 

     Specifically, this measure:

 

     (1)  Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds to finance improvements to various irrigation systems; and

 

     (2)  Appropriates funds for the operation and maintenance of the East Kauai Irrigation System.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from 4 Ag Hawaii; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Wong's Meat Market, Ltd.; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Ponoholo Ranch, Ltd.; East Kauai Water Users' Cooperative; Kauai County Farm Bureau; Saiva Siddhanta Church; Kauai Taro Growers Association; Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association; MCFB; and seven individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

 

     Your Committee finds that irrigation systems are the lifelines of Hawaii's agricultural industry.  This measure appropriates funds needed to maintain irrigation systems to ensure a reliable supply of water for Hawaii's agricultural crops.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting the provisions authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds and related appropriations.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1263, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1263, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair