Report Title:

Soil and Water Conservation Districts; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts for the operation of the soil and water conservation districts.  (HB399 CD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	399
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 2
		C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that chapter 180, Hawaii Revised Statutes, allowed for the establishment of soil and water conservation districts as subdivisions of the State to act, educate, construct, maintain, and assist in the development of conservation plans and oversee county grading ordinances.

     The first soil and water conservation district was established on the island of Maui in 1948, to assist Kula farmers.  Since then, fifteen other districts have been established, each with up to five board members and any number of associate, nonvoting board members.  All board members are nonpaid volunteers serving two-year terms.  Together, the sixteen soil and water conservation districts form the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts.

     The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation to fund the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts in its operational expenses for all of its soil and water conservation districts.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 to the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts for the operation of the soil and water conservation districts.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.